Rob Walter’s curriculum vitae suggests a quick fix is at least possible.
But the man himself is making no such promises.
The South African has taken over the Otago coaching reins this season and arrived in the country about six weeks ago with an impressive track record.
He guided the South African franchise the Titans to three domestic titles — one in each format — during a four-year stint with the team.
But any Otago fans hoping this will be the season the Volts break their painful 28-year drought in the first-class competition may have to muster some more resolve.
"From my past experience, to win a four-day competition takes some time," Walter said.
"You need various qualities to work well and it is about focusing on the small little building blocks. It is probably a cliched thing but it is absolutely true.
"For us it is about doing really well in the first session of the first game and building on it from there."
That first session is this morning, against Central Districts, in Nelson.
Otago won just one game last season, so there is definitely room for improvement.
But despite a disappointing season, Walter, who was appointed after the contracting process was complete, has inherited the same group of players.
The Volts have the talent to be more competitive but have lacked consistency.
"We’ve had a lengthy period of review ... so from that point of view we know exactly where we are headed and what we want to work on and nail down this season. And we’ve also been real and know it might not all happen in this season.
"If we can look back and say we’ve improved in the areas we’ve identified, then we would have made a step in the right direction."
Brad Wilson was nominated by the players to take over as captain of the first-class side.
He replaces Hamish Rutherford in the role.
He was Otago’s leading scorer in the Plunket Shield last season and his partnership with Rutherford at the top of the innings shapes as crucial.
Neil Broom scored runs in all three formats last summer but will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing county season with Derbyshire, while Michael Bracewell, who will miss the game against Central Districts, was short of runs but is a key player in the batting line-up.
Black Caps left-armer Neil Wagner will return for the second round and will spearhead the seam attack with Jacob Duffy.
Waitaki Boys’ High School pupil Nathan Smith made his first-class debut at the end of last summer and it will be interesting to see how the 18-year-old develops.
Black Caps spinner Mark Craig, once he returns from a side strain, will lead the slow ball attack, which includes leg-spinner Rhys Phillips and off-spinner Josh Finnie.
Part-time left arm spinner Anaru Kitchen picked up nine wickets last season and can be a useful partnership-breaker.
All-rounder Sam Wells scored a hundred in a warm-up game against Canterbury but has some stiff competition for his spot.
Christi Viljoen impressed late last season and Black Caps all-rounder Jimmy Neesham commands a spot in the side when he is available.
Otago wicketkeeper Derek de Boorder has quietly amassed 79 first-class appearances for the province and will be relied on to hold the Volts middle and lower order together.
He is sneaking up on 300 first-class dismissals and 4000 career runs.
