England manager Martin Johnson has plenty of food for thought ahead of next year's Six Nations © Getty Images

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Features: Johnson needs time to make his point

News: Johnno goes on the defensive

As England manager Martin Johnson sits down to review his side's disappointing autumn campaign he is unlikely to turn to the works of Russian revolutionary filmmaker Sergei Eisenstein for light relief - but for those charged with conducting a post-mortem this side of the red rose, there are some parallels to be drawn between the two.

Eisenstein's masterpiece The Battleship Potemkin features one of the famous scenes in cinematic history - the Odessa Steps sequence. The brutality of the Tsar's Cossacks as they massacre innocent civilians may be a more suitable epilogue for England's shortcomings last year but the uncertain future of a baby in a pram, rolling perilously down the steps, is a fitting postscript for England's latest uninspiring performances.

In the sequence that many films have paid homage to since, our helpless young star could easily represent Johnson's faltering side. With the pram careering into the unknown, the scene ends on a cliff-hanger with the eventual fate of the baby unknown and it is that moment of high drama that best sums up Johnson's current predicament. A dark cloud was hovering over England ahead of their final outing against New Zealand but they did just enough to withstand the latest volley of fire from the Cossack-like critics. Johnson may prefer Brian de Palma's sweetened treatment of the scene in The Untouchables but with no Andy Garcia looming into shot the question marks remain.

It was my esteemed ESPN.com colleague Rick Reilly who recently wrote that, "There are a few things in life that look easy but should never, ever be tried by amateurs. For instance: training circus bears, ski jumping and Madonna." The chance to 'manage' the England rugby team should be added to that list.

When Johnson took the England reins in 2008 he was a complete amateur with no coaching experience of any kind. It was his reputation as one the greatest players to have ever laced up a pair of boots that earned him the opportunity and the chance to take charge of an unrivalled talent pool with the backing of the world's richest union proved too tempting. How could he fail? Sixteen games into his tenure, and with just six wins to his side's name in that time, he finds himself under increasing pressure to prove wrong those who questioned his appointment. He is on a steep learning curve and his side have done little this month to ease his headache or quell the dissatisfaction.

"We've moved forward," declared a defiant Johnson in the wake of his side's latest reverse against the All Blacks but after being mauled at the hands of the three southern hemisphere giants this time last year many will say there was only one way for the team to go. However, with a victory, albeit a dull one, against the Pumas and a widely predicted disaster averted against New Zealand, the results, if not the performances, add a little weight to his argument.

Stripped of many of his leading lights by an injury list as long as the road to redemption, Johnson and co were up against it before a ball had been kicked. And they must be granted some leeway for the cruel twists of fate that robbed them of the likes of centre Riki Flutey and fullback Delon Armitage. Granted, it is hard to build confidence without stability but it is often said that with adversity comes opportunity and England's second-stringers failed to grab their chance to shine.

It was the performances of one of England's front line stars that has drawn perhaps the most attention. Jonny Wilkinson began the autumn series on a wave of adoration with acres of coverage welcoming him back to the international stage after an 18-month injury-blighted hiatus. But he ended it under a cloud with question marks surrounding his long-term future at the heart of England's backline.

Wilkinson has rarely been found wanting in an England shirt and he could not be faulted for his industry, leading by example in defence and delivering with the boot, but he finds himself under the microscope for failing to spark his backline into life. It is perhaps a little harsh to lay the blame for England's creative bankruptcy solely at the feet of the Toulon No.10, revitalised since his switch to the South of France, but a paltry return of one try in three Tests demands he be called to account. Wilkinson has rarely displayed the game-breaking ability that is core trait of the likes of Danny Cipriani and Shane Geraghty and it remains to be seen whether Johnson re-thinks his whole approach come the Six Nations and opens the door to those blessed with that ability and others like fringe players Ben Foden and Mathew Tait.

There were few glimmers of hope for England but the form of flanker Lewis Moody was an undoubted bright spot that shone through the gloom. Whether the Tigers stalwart has done enough to warrant elevation to the captaincy as many have predicted is for Johnson to ponder although he has been nothing but loyal to his current skipper Steve Borthwick. Moody's hunger, drive and enthusiasm belie his 31 years with his recent injury woes and lengthy stint on the sidelines serving as a reminder to make the most of every opportunity. He has eloquently played down his own contribution in favour of underlining the team dynamic but should Johnson want someone to provide fresh leadership impetus on the field then he need look no further than the crowd-pleasing Moody.

As the in-depth review into England's performances gets underway, there appears little chance of a serious overhaul. Johnson can sleep soundly knowing his employers remain right behind him but there will be concerns about the side's lack of progress. Johnson himself remains committed to his coaching team but the knives will be out if England fail to raise their game in the Six Nations - especially if their injury woes are lifted as expected.

As with the subject of Eisenstein's lens, we hold out hope that Johnson rides out the storm raging around him. But time is running out. His iconic status slips just a little bit more with every mediocre showing and the goodwill built up over a glorious career will not always be there to save him.