It was almost seven years ago when Bristol City last headed out on the road for their opening match of the season.
Few will need reminding of the game as the Robins celebrated their return to the Championship with a trip to Sheffield Wednesday. Unfortunately, Steve Cotterill's side were brought back down to earth in a 2-0 defeat against the Owls, followed up by a 4-2 loss at home to Brentford.
Hopefully, there won't be a repeat of that start as the Robins take one of many trips to the north of England to face Hull City. Coincidentally, a game against the Tigers was the final home match of last season and perhaps the 5-0 thrashing will still be in the back of the minds of some of the opposition players.
It's important City get off to a good start to the season and with three new signings through the door, there is no reason why Pearson's players can't hit the ground running to get early points on the board - especially after generating the momentum from the end of last season.
City finished the season in decent form, losing just one of their final six matches including victories over Stoke, Derby and Hull. Pearson stressed the importance of building confidence before the end of the last campaign which can then be taken into pre-season and into the contest at Hull on July 30.
Here's the talking points after City's league fixtures are announced.
A favourable start
A good start to the campaign will instantly relieve the pressure on the shoulders of the manager and players as they will look to gather early momentum to climb the table.
Last season, City won one of their opening four matches in a 3-2 away victory over Reading while it was October 30 when the Robins picked up their first three points at Ashton Gate in that win over Barnsley.
Pearson knows he can't afford a repeat of that home record and the second half of last season, in particular, seemed to generate more of a confidence that City's Ashton Gate hoodoo is now a thing of the past.
As we all know from the 2020/21 season when City won their opening four matches, a fast start won't exactly dictate the season but it will build a solid platform on which to build. And as the fixtures have shaped up, Pearson's side have a good opportunity to do just that.
After Hull, City take on newly-promoted Sunderland at Ashton Gate as the Black Cats return to the second tier for the first time in four years. Then follows another fixture against a team coming into the Championship on the back of a promotion as City head to Wigan.
Back-to-back home games follow against Luton and Cardiff, again fixtures Pearson will be looking at believing he can secure maximum points. Kal Naismith's former side aren't expected to be the force they were last season when they finished inside the top six while City will fancy their chances of another victory over the Bluebirds following their double triumph last season.
As Pearson would say, there are no easy games in the Championship and he is certainly right about that. But City's first matches at least will provide a welcome test as to how they compare to sides that are expected to be in and around them this season.
A tricky run-in
While City's start may be favourable - their run-in is a different kettle of fish.
Pearson has set his sights on a push for promotion and if City are to be anywhere near the playoffs towards the end of the season, they'll have to overcome a number of tricky obstacles to make the climb into the top six.
Their last six games start with a home match against Middlesbrough with Chris Wilder likely to have promotion in their sights this time around. Then follows a tough test away at Watford as they plot a return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
After that, is a midweek contest away against Sheffield United before City will fancy their chances of three points with a home match against relegation favourites Rotherham.
Then follows another game against last season's Premier League side Burnley at home before the campaign finishes with a difficult tie at Queens Park Rangers where the Robins actually ran out dramatic 2-1 victors in the fixture last season thanks to Nahki Wells' 93rd-minute winner.
Of course, it's a long way away and a lot can change in the course of even a three-game week in the Championship but those final run of games could make or break City's season.
Rivalries and notable fixtures
City fans won't need to wait long for the Severnside rivalry as they host Cardiff on August 20, which could be subject to change depending on the TV schedule.
Just over two months later it's a game at home to Ashton Gate on October 29 with the reverse fixture against the Bluebirds in Wales falling on March 4.
City will head back across the border just two weeks later to take on Swansea. Those travelling fans who enjoy a trip to the coast have hit some luck on in the August bank holiday weekend when the Robins travel to Blackpool on the 27th.
Good Friday coincidentally sees another trip up to the Potteries to take on Stoke while Easter Monday is a contest against Middlesbrough at home.
Christmas period
Due to the winter World Cup in Qatar, the Championship will enjoy a three-week break after the home match against Watford on November 12.
They will then return with the traditional hectic fixture schedule over the festive period with an away trip to Rotherham on December 10.
The Christmas period is a great opportunity to gather momentum and climb the league table and can ultimately define a season heading into the second half of the campaign.
City have a home match on Boxing Day at home to West Brom before heading to London to take on Millwall just three days later. Another three days after that, it's an away trip to Coventry before what will be a welcome two-week break.
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