It's been a slow start to the summer but Bristol City have now landed their first new signing, with Matty James announced by the South West club last week. 

With 11 senior players departing and Nigel Pearson looking to rebuild his squad, you'd imagine we're likely to see a fair few more new arrivals before the start of the 2021/22 campaign.

There are just six weeks to go until the new EFL campaign gets underway and the Robins now know who they'll be playing on opening weekend.

City will welcome Championship new boys Blackpool to Ashton Gate on Saturday the 7th of August, with the Tangerines having secured promotion to the second tier via the play-offs.

They may be fresh blood but Pearson will know not to underestimate Neil Critchley's side as he looks to get his first full season in charge of the Robins underway in style.

With that curtain-raiser now on the horizon, we've had an early look at how City could line up...

There was some talk during the 2020/21 campaign about Southampton's interest in Dan Bentley but things have gone pretty quiet concerning City's number one.

Unless a significant offer comes in from the Saints or elsewhere, Bentley looks near-certain to reprise his starting role between the sticks next term.

The 27-year-old was the South West club's standout player in 2020/21 – earning City plenty of points they didn't really deserve and scooping the player of the season award.

Supporters will be hoping to see more of the same from him next term, starting with the game against Blackpool on August 7th.

With Jack Hunt, Steven Sessegnon, and Adrian Mariappa all gone, Pearson isn't spoilt for choice on the right side of defence.

It is understood that the City boss does not see full-backs as a priority this summer, with Danny Simpson's new contract recently announced.

The versatile Zak Vyner would seem the obvious option as cover and competition but you feel Pearson is likely to go with the 34-year-old, who is a player he trusts from their time together at Leicester City.

Robins supporters will likely feel that they've not seen the best of Simpson just yet but he looks set to be at the top of the pecking order moving forward, starting with the Blackpool game.

Alongside Bentley, skipper Tomas Kalas was one of the few experienced City players that consistently produced last term – with his physicality and commitment putting him among the top centre-backs in the division.

He carried that form into this summer's European Championships, where he has been excellent for the Czech Republic and helped them reach the knock-out stages.

The departures of Nathan Baker, Alfie Mawson, and Mariappa will make Kalas' experience and leadership at the heart of the backline even more important this season.

Pearson will surely be looking to build a defence around him, starting from the season opener against Blackpool.

One of City's top priorities this summer has to be finding a partner for Kalas and Oxford United's Rob Atkinson has emerged as a prime candidate.

The Robins are understood to have made a bid in excess of £1.4 million for the left-footed centre-back but are yet to meet Oxford's £1.6 million valuation, with Celtic also said to be interested.

Assuming City get their man, you'd imagine that Atkinson will get the nod to start alongside Kalas on the opening day of the season.

The 22-year-old was named in EFL's the League One Team of the Season last term and featured on the shortlist for FLW's League One Player of the Season award – the Robins will be hoping he can carry that form over into the Championship.

Left-back was a problem position for City last term but with Jay Dasilva and Cam Pring returning to fitness, Pearson won't be short of options ahead of the Blackpool game.

Though Pring did turn heads while on loan at Portsmouth, Dasilva has proven himself a consistent performer in the Championship in previous seasons and you'd imagine the former Chelsea man will be first choice this term.

Injuries have hampered his development in recent years but if he can put a string of games together, he'll surely remind everyone of what an exciting young defender he is – both with and without possession.

Joe Williams was City's blockbuster signing last summer but his debut season at Ashton Gate was ultimately a disappointing one for both player and club.

Injury issues meant that Williams, who had been signed for a seven-figure fee from Wigan, was limited to just two appearances.

With that in mind, the midfielder will likely feel he has a point to prove to the Ashton Gate faithful in 2021/22.

His tenacity and industry are likely to make him someone that Pearson looks to lean on moving forward, starting the Championship opener.

The Robins may have only made one signing so far this season but it looks a fantastic addition.

Their midfield has lacked leadership since the departures of Marlon Pack, Josh Brownhill, and Korey Smith within 12 months of each other.

James' arrival should give them that, while he proved with Barnsley and Coventry City last season that he's a top-quality Championship midfielder.

He was a trusted figure under Pearson at Leicester and helped him secure promotion to the Premier League, and we can expect him to play a similar role in Bs3.

It would be a shock not to see him anchor the midfield for the majority of the season.

Adam Nagy's second season for City was a marked improvement on his first and on the back of a hugely impressive Euro 2020, which saw him go toe-to-toe with the likes of Paul Pogba, N'Golo Kante, Toni Kroos, and Bruno Fernandes, he should be high in confidence.

With Nagy's stock high, interest from elsewhere may prize him away from the Robins but assuming he stays, you feel this could be the season where he really proves his worth.

The Hungarian has never been able to translate his international form into a City shirt previously but if he can in 2021/22, he will be a huge asset.

A midfield three of Williams, James and Nagy looks a strong one, it has to be said.

While shifting Andreas Weimann out of his preferred position may not be popular among parts of the Ashton Gate faithful, you feel Pearson should be doing all he can to get Antoine Semenyo in the team.

Though we'd seen him in the City senior side in the past, the 2020/21 campaign was a breakthrough season for Semenyo.

The Robins were so often dull and toothless going forward but the 21-year-old never failed to excite but more than that, he proved a key attacking weapon.

Semenyo finished the season with five goals and seven assists, and was named City's young player of the year.

With that in mind, he deserves a chance to start against Blackpool.

With Famara Diedhiou gone, City are searching for a new number nine and Wimbledon's Joe Pigott is reportedly someone they're looking at, with other clubs in the chase as well.

The 27-year-old scored 22 goals to help keep the Dons in League One last season but is available on a free transfer as his contract expires this summer.

Should Pigott make the move to Ashton Gate, he looks likely to lead the line for the season opener against Blackpool.

Pearson does have the likes of Nahki Wells and Chris Martin but you feel the Wimbledon striker has a more complete game and that may see him get the nod.

It may not be his preferred position but Andreas Weimann has a lot of experience playing on the left-flank and may just be shifted there to allow Semenyo to start on the right of the front three.

The Austrian's energy and quality in the final third was hugely missed last season, so his return from injury is a massive boost for the Robins.

Weimann signed a new contract this summer and looks likely to be a key figure moving forward, starting with the game against Blackpool.

City's offensive woes need to be sorted before the start of the 2021/22 campaign, hopefully, the 29-year-old's return can help.