Howard Wilkinson has always been a lover of statistics but the figures that sit before him this morning do not make for pleasant reading.

Three defeats from his seven games in charge at Under 21 level. Two defeats from three games at this week's European Championships.

Only three shots on target in his side's startling defeat to hosts Slovakia on Thursday night. Whichever way you look at it, the signs are not good.

The Football Association's technical director may choose to stick to his favoured mantra that results at this level are not everything.

But crucial to his role and, indeed, to his future position at Lancaster Gate are signs of progress.

Currently, there would appear to be few. A year ago, the future of English football looked to be in good shape as Under 21 coach Peter Taylor breezed unbeaten through qualifying but the finals have brought only disappointment this week.

Since Wilkinson took the controversial decision to remove Taylor a year ago, things have changed. Certainly, the elevation to the senior ranks of players such as Emile Heskey, Michael Owen, Rio Ferdinand, Steven Gerrard, Richard Wright, Kieron Dyer and Gareth Barry has not helped Wilkinson's cause.

The loss of others such as Michael Bridges and Joe Cole - to injury - and Lee Bowyer and Jonathan Woodgate - to pending court hearings - have also taken a tangible toll.

But watching Wilkinson's team perform so moderately last week has been to witness a squad that would appear to have lost direction.

Wilkinson has enough supporters in senior positions at Lancaster Gate to remain confident that his position is secure.

But having already given Sunderland manager Peter Reid a game in charge last September against Poland, the FA has hinted at its desire to see a younger coach involved with a squad rightly recognised as being of great importance.

Perhaps now the FA chiefs may look to persuade Wilkinson of the value of help from a younger man and although Reid has indicated he cannot combine such a role with his obligations to Sunderland, the likes of West Ham's Stuart Pearce, Nottingham Forest manager David Platt and Middlesbrough boss Bryan Robson have already been identified as major players in the future.

The past eight days in Bratislava have not been without their successes, with Manchester City goalkeeper Nicky Weaver, young Tottenham defender Ledley King, West Ham's Frank Lampard and Danny Mills of Leeds United performing well enough to suggest they may one day have something to offer at senior level.

But other than that, England have performed without conviction. A 6-0 victory over the tournament's weakest side,Turkey, could not disguise the cracks evident in defeats to Italy and the host nation and the individual errors that contributed to each of the four goals conceded by a defence that trembled all week.

Poor King, cast as the new Sol Campbell, even suffered a stress fracture to a foot, which added to the insult of the team's early exit. He may be forced to miss the start of next season.

Wilkinson has spent the week seeking positives but often presents a picture that is not only confusing but sometimes difficult to agree with.

His players were devastated following their exit from the competition yet Wilkinson continues to tell them defeats do not matter. Despite his belief, Wilkinson somewhat contrarily declined to experiment.

For example, the chance to give Chelsea's Jon Harley - who played only 45 minutes - and West Ham's Michael Carrick - who did not play at all - valuable experience of international football was not taken.

Aston Villa's Lee Hendrie - England's brightest player in the first half of the opener against Italy - was taken off during the interval and did not reappear until it was too late in the tournament.

On this matter, there was no explanation from the coach. 'Nothing has been said to me but perhaps I will find out,' said Hendrie. 'I am not going to go knocking on the manager's door. We are here as a team. The most disappointing thing is that we haven't gone through.'

Wilkinson stated midway through the tournament that if his side did not reach the final, he would not be throwing himself in to the Danube that flows through the heart of this attractive town.

Nobody had suggested that he should but this has nevertheless been a disheartening week for England. To win the tournament would have been a great achievement. To come home early surely represents failure.