Progress is a buzzword in all walks of life, but it is particularly prevalent in the world of sport. When new managers come into a team, they are expected to give their teams a boost and fans talk of seeing progress.
The Scotland rugby team is a perfect case in point. After a disastrous Six Nations in 2014, in which a wooden spoon was only avoided by a drop goal against Italy, Scottish rugby fans couldn't wait to see what Vern Cotter could bring to the table. Cotter arrived in Scotland with an impressive CV having led French side Clermont Auvergne to the league title in 2009-10 and also to the Heineken Cup final in 2013, although they lost to Toulon.
Cotter certainly made a good initial impact on the team during the summer and autumn of 2014, winning three out of four tests in June, including a 21-19 victory away to Argentina and that fine form continued with a 41-31 win at Murrayfield in November against the Argentinians, which showcased the Scots potential for attacking flair under Cotter. A narrow 24-16 loss to New Zealand followed, before a dominant 37-12 win over Tonga was secured in Kilmarnock, to avenge a loss the Scots had suffered to the Tongans in 2012.
Confidence was high going into the Six Nations in February. Few truly believed the Scots could win the championship, but with young attacking talent and a desire to avenge the 2014 performance, it was hoped the Scots could make a significant impact on the tournament. How wrong were fans and the media to be.
After a dismal 40-10 loss at Murrayfield against Ireland on Saturday, Scottish rugby is once again at a low ebb. That defeat confirmed the Scots worst nightmare scenario; the wooden spoon as they lost five games out of five. Yet, we still here that progress was made during this Six Nations campaign.
I say, pull the other one. Sports is a results business and losing five games out of five, despite being close in many of them is not progress. Instead, Scotland have taken many steps backwards over the last couple of months, after showing genuine progress in the latter half of 2014.
Here are five things that Vern Cotter and Scotland must improve on if they are to even get out of the group stages at the World Cup later this year.
1. Start playing for 80 minutes
Scotland's second half performances in the Six Nations were absolutely diabolical right from the opening game to the last. They only trailed France 9-8 at the break in Paris, with Dougie Fyfe having crossed the try line, but in the second half they added nothing to the score board to let the game be won by France 15-8.
It was a similar story against Italy, in what was surely one of the worst 40 minutes of rugby Scotland have ever played as despite leading 16-15 at the interval, they only added three points in the second half and somehow conspired to let the Italians win 22-19.
After being railroaded by the English in the opening 20 minutes at Twickenham, the Scots produced some fine attacking rugby to lead 13-10 after 40 minutes. However, they couldn't sustain it and lost 23-10. The same was true against Ireland when they lost 23 points without reply in Saturday's second half.
That is a mindset that must be changed and it's got to be wondered what Vern Cotter is saying to his players at half time. He must ensure that they are full of positive belief when they emerge for the second half or the Scots will continue to let games slip from their grasp.
2. Install a natural leader on the pitch
For all his solid play and great kicking during the Six Nations, Greig Laidlaw doesn't come across as a natural leader on a rugby pitch. Whilst he is certainly still worthy of a pick by Cotter at scrum half (though Sam Hidalgo-Clyne is certainly pushing him hard in that regard), Scotland need someone on the pitch who can truly drive the team forward at crucial moments.
Despite only being 21, I believe the man who should get the captain's armband handed to him by Cotter is Jonny Gray. Following the injury to his brother Richie, Jonny led the Scotland line out superbly well and has a great presence on the field. Lock is a natural leadership position- you only have to think of Ireland's Paul O'Connell's and England's Martin Johnson for great examples of that and Gray has the mindset of someone who would thrive off the added responsibility.
It's time for Cotter to be bold and appointing Gray would be a great start.
3. Utilise Scotland's attacking talent better
Those who say Scotland did progress during the Six Nations this year highlight the attacking ability of youngsters such as Stuart Hogg, Mark Bennett, Tommy Seymour and Finn Russell who on occasions showed us what they are capable of.
Now Cotter needs to ensure that they attack on a more consistent basis. Scotland only managed six tries in the whole of the Six Nations and when they approached towards the try line, they still looked like Scotland teams of old who were nervous and made mistakes in handling the ball.
Cotter's system must be structured in a way which allows Hogg, Bennett, Seymour and others including David Denton and Alex Dunbar to express themselves and be confident of hurting any team in world rugby.
4. Improve the discipline
This is an area in which responsibility must be shared between Cotter and the players. The coach can only drum in so much during his time with the players in the dressing room that they should avoid giving away needless penalties during the match.
He can't be blamed for them not following out basic instructions when they cross the white line. Some of the penalties Scotland conceded were amateurish and in five matches, they conceded an astonishing 58 to the opposition. With an average of almost 12 penalties conceded in 80 minutes, Scotland are going to struggle to win any match, let alone the Six Nations.
Players need to take responsibility for giving away daft fouls and too many players (Johnny Beattie, Ben Toolis, Geoff Cross and Hamish Watson) spent unnecessary time in the sin-bin, though I stand by the fact that Finn Russell's yellow card (later upgraded to a red) against Wales was a harsh decision.
Scotland need to get their penalty against count significantly down ahead of the World Cup as that could even allow a nation like Japan a chance of winning against Cotter's side.
5. Bring some experience back into the fold
As mentioned in relation to the lack of leaders on the park, Vern Cotter could also do with bringing some experienced players back into the Scotland team.
For all of the young talent that looks more than capable of delivering in years to come, too many experienced players have been shown the door by Cotter. Former captain Kelly Brown is still playing well for Saracens and would have been a good option for coach Cotter to have at flanker. Scrum-half Chris Cusiter is another who can feel hard done by not to be included in the original squad, considering his good displays for Sale Sharks alongside England No 10 Danny Cipriani.
The addition of more experience even if just for the World Cup and next Six Nations would allow the young players to be guided more and give a better balance to the team.
Cotter came with a big reputation and started well but this Six Nations campaign has not seen Scotland progress, far from it. Big results are needed in World Cup warm up matches against Ireland, Italy and France and then at the World Cup itself, a group stage exit for the man designed to progress Scottish rugby is unthinkable.
It's time for Cotter and this Scotland team to cut out the excuses and win rugby matches.
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