A leader is generally assessed on their first hundred days in office.

The term originated in America and was first used by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933 radio address.

Although he was referring to the 100 day session of the 73rd United States Congress, it became a reference point for how any president performed thereafter.

It is now widely used to measure successes and accomplishments during the time that a leader’s power and influence is at its greatest.

The first hundred days has become so embedded in our collective consciousness that many politicians are well prepared to justify their record at that stage.

There’s a good reason for that: opponents often seize on any perceived failures.

In August, when David Cameron marked 100 days since he led the Conservatives to victory he was keen to point out his achievements but others rounded on what they decided was a failure to keep his promises.

Similarly, after Nicola Sturgeon reached 100 days as First Minister she trumpeted any successes while the opposition talked up every flaw they could find.

New leaders will also use the first hundred days to distinguish themselves from their predecessors with major policy shifts.

When Gordon Brown finally took over from Tony Blair he immediately announced reviews of cannabis laws and the government's ‘super-casino’ plan.

He also famously invited Tory and Lib Dem politicians to advise him and even some non-Labour figures into ministerial jobs, repeatedly calling for a government “of all the talents”.

Frank McAveety took over the running of Glasgow City Council at the beginning of September and he is fast approaching that fateful 100 days in office.

It took him several weeks to reshuffle his top team and when he did many wondered why there were few new faces.

Some are also privately asking when he will come up with his own big ideas.

Most announcements have been existing policies repackaged or government schemes.

SNP sources are already rather unkindly describing McAveety as a poor man’s Gordon Brown because he spent a long time plotting and scheming to unseat his predecessor Gordon Matheson but, they say, he hasn’t thought much about what he will do with the power that comes with control of Scotland’s largest local authority.

The SNP also suggest that any pledges that have been made by McAveety lack detail and his first 100 days could be marked by inactivity.

However, supporters of the council leader bemoan budget cuts and say that there is little money left to make the changes that might encourage voters to back Labour in 2017.

Senior councillors insist McAveety and his team are not short of ideas but they are being asked to do more for less.

Meanwhile, it has also been suggested that unelected political advisors are struggling to get to grips with the structure of the council which would allow them to push through plans that have been hatched.

McAveety has some time on his side – he took up his new role at the beginning of September - but if he is to avoid criticism when he reaches 100 days in office supporters and opponents alike will expect more.