By Phil McNulty BBC Sport Online chief football writer

Leeds United, Aston Villa and Sunderland went back to the future in search of success - and are now in danger of entering into a time warp.

The trio of clubs with designs on Premiership grandeur opted for experience when they appointed ex-England managers Terry Venables, Graham Taylor and Howard Wilkinson.

But the results and response have been mixed, with questions already being asked about the wisdom of the appointments.

So what are the prospects for the men who have led their country and now find difficulty leading their clubs?

FANS' REACTION

Terry Venables
Leeds fans have not fallen for the picture painted by Venables' media apologists that portrays him as a messiah and the country's greatest coach.

Supporters even called for sacked David O'Leary during the home defeat against Liverpool.

Unhappy with results and team selection, which has seen favourites Olivier Dacourt and David Batty left out.

Graham Taylor
Calls for his dismissal from the Holte End as Villa lost at home to Southampton.

Taylor was seen as a safe appointment by controversial Villa chairman Doug Ellis, but he will not like the sound of his manager being barracked and may react.

Howard Wilkinson
Only had one game, but rarely has a Premier League managerial appointment left fans so underwhelmed.

Lost first game at home to fellow strugglers West Ham and his unchanging mantra about fitness and commitment does not encourage romantics or affection. The wave of apathy continues.

SIGNINGS

Terry Venables
Nick Barmby has been disappointing while Teddy Lucic has been peripheral. No prospect of an immediate upturn with the transfer window shut and suggestions that he will have little or no money to work with.

Graham Taylor
Poor. Peter Crouch is already a victim of Villa Park's critics, branded a poor man's Ian Ormondroyd, while Marcus Allback has been a massive disappointment.

Oyvind Leonhardsen and Ronny Johnsen were bargain basement buys that will do little to change the course of Villa's season.

Howard Wilkinson
Forget it. Peter Reid spent all the money - although Wilkinson has wasted no time in criticising Reid signings Tore Andre Flo and Matthew Piper.

TACTICS

Terry Venables
Fancy talk of Christmas trees or diamond formations will cut no ice with fans getting used to the taste of defeat. And Venables' renowned charm will not wash with Leeds fans if the slide continues.

Graham Taylor
Signing of Crouch sparked the old long-ball fears, and while systems have changed, the direct style remains and Taylor's tried and trusted game plan now looks flawed.

Howard Wilkinson
Same old Sergeant Wilko. Tough training, lots of technical talk and no football in your own half.

Mobile phones have been banned - predictable on every level and inviting old criticisms.

PROSPECTS

Terry Venables
Reasonable. Still has quality players, but talk of his disastrous terms at Crystal Palace and Portsmouth will soon be playing on the lips of Leeds fans unless matters improve.

Graham Taylor
Bad. Supporters dissatisfied with the chairman and manager demand results - but not results like a home defeat to Southampton.

Howard Wilkinson
Grim. Wilkinson's clipboard and flip chart style has already left Sunderland fans cold after only one game. May get them safe but will never make them pretty.

VERDICT

All should have time on their side as new appointments, but restless fans can lead to desperate chairmen and Leeds, Villa and Sunderland fans have genuine concerns.