Dan Jones says he is 'learning everyday' from the hugely successful backroom staff in place at Meadow Lane.
The defender has returned for a second spell with the Magpies, this time as a permanent signing after initially spending time on loan at Notts in 2009.
And Jones says working closely with former top-flight players Kevin Nolan, Alan Smith and Mark Crossley, along with their colleagues, is exciting and educational in equal measure.
He said: "You've only got to look at the manager's career - how can you not respect that? We play football to try and get to the top level, and he's done that.
"Every day you've got to try and impress these people. If you don't want to do that, you shouldn't be playing sport.
"They know the game, and all the little tricks, inside out. It's great for me - I'm 30 years of age but I feel like I'm learning everyday.
"There's a real seriousness, but also a real enjoyment. Everything's intense."
Jones played the second half of Saturday's friendly victory over a Rolls Royce Leisure Select XI and was impressed with the display from the whole team.
He said: "There were a lot of good performances. They couldn't live with our passing and interchanges of play.
"We should have scored more - we created a lot of chances and I don't think our keeper even touched the ball in the second half.
"But it's not about that. It's about the minutes and getting your legs moving."