With 11 senior players out of contract this summer, Bristol City have a lot of decisions to make on the make-up of their squad for the 2021/22 campaign.
There are still eight games to go this season but planning for the next year has already begun, even if new contract offers must wait until the club knows with certainty which division they will play in.
Famara Diedhiou could depart BS3 in the summer as he reaches the end of his current deal and having rejected a previous contract offer, but the Robins must decide on Adrian Mariappa, Rene Gilmartin, Tommy Rowe, Marley Watkins, Nathan Baker, Jack Hunt, Jamie Paterson and Liam Walsh.
And Pearson gave an insight into the longer-term planning for the next campaign at the weekend to BBC Radio Bristol following the Millers loss.
"There are things to do and we have a situation where we have an opportunity this summer to develop the squad further," said Pearson.
"And I want the players who are here to use the remainder of the season to prove not just to us but to themselves how they see their future - and it's really quite straightforward in that regard."
The gauntlet has been thrown down to the squad and City supporters may lick their lips at the prospect at what Nigel Pearson can achieve in the future, with his own squad in place and a full pre-season under the belt.
Owner Steve Lansdown recently explained that there is room to spend this coming summer.
"We have a strong underbelly of young players coming through with great potential, that can enhance any team in the future. We have a strong recruitment policy which goes out and finds players that meet our requirements as a football club, and the coaches requirements," he said.
"There’s a lot going for it [the club], despite COVID we have a lot of leeway in regards to financial fair play and that aspect of things so anybody coming in can see the potential to reorganise the squad if they feel that’s appropriate," explained Lansdown last month.
