Julian Rhodes insists “hard graft” is the only recipe for City success this season.

And he believes that the combination of new boss Phil Parkinson and influential chief scout Archie Christie are the perfect pair to set the example needed.

While Parkinson settles into the hot-seat hurriedly vacated by Peter Jackson, Rhodes today lauded Christie’s contribution behind the scenes.

The big Scot has come in for flak from some quarters, with fingers pointed his way over Jackson’s sudden departure.

As head of player development, Christie controls the budget. He is effectively City’s director of football in all but name – while currently still only working for expenses. He has already had a major hand in the club’s restructure since the end of last season.

Joint-chairman Rhodes said: “He has a lot of ideas and is very forthright in his opinions.

“Archie is not everybody’s cup of tea but he works extremely hard. The number of times I’ve had e-mails off him at 3am – he’s non-stop.

“And in the last few months it’s cost him money to work for us.

“He’s a very good door opener. He’s not shy and has no problem picking up the phone speaking to agents and other clubs.

“He’ll try to get us the best possible deal, whether it be for the development squad, the first team or youth team. He works within a budget and he’s good at that.

“Archie has unearthed all sorts of players for us. Look at some of the lads he’s brought in to the development squad – names we’d never heard of who look really good prospects.

“He was also responsible for the likes of Mitchell and Stewart, Ritchie Jones and Jansson. He’s had a real impact on the first team and he will continue to do that.”

While careful not to criticise Jackson, Rhodes is convinced Parkinson’s reputation for putting in long hours will match that work ethic.

He added: “The only way this club is going to progress is through hard graft. That’s it, we have to work hard.

“All over the summer that was the whole ethos. It was manic at times, there were some long days and nights.

“I think it would be fair to say Peter found that difficult. But we were determined that this was the way things had to be.

“Mark (Lawn) and I are very much people who don’t stop just because you’re on holiday or it’s the weekend.

“It’s a football club and things can happen at any point. You have to be prepared for that.

“That’s the way Archie works and that’s why we like him.

“When Peter fell on his sword last week and did the honourable thing for benefit of the club, we wanted to bring in a manager with the same work ethic as the rest of us.

“Within a few minutes of meeting Phil I knew, and I think Mark knew, he was that guy.”