Martin Smith: Chris Wilder and his fellow Brits are defying the bookies this season

All tipped by the bookies in August to be managerial toast by December.

Three months later and they’re about as comfortable as a manager can be at three of football’s so-called ‘sacking’ clubs.

A few were tipping Unai Emery’s demise at Arsenal but no-one had thought of Mauricio Pochettino, with the thrill of Spurs’ scarcely-believable Champions League final appearance still echoing round their stunning new stadium.

How times change.

Chris Wilder has become THE model modern manager for teams without limitless funds.

Former Wednesday boss Bruce - who went from bad exit feelings at Hillsborough to an even worse welcome at St James Park - is winning over the Geordies and the Dickensian expressiveness of Roy Hodgson’s 72-year-old face is largely registering continued delight.

Gawd bless ‘em, every one.

Since the start of the Premier League in 1992, Sheffield United have had 19 managers, Newcastle United 21 and Crystal Palace a ridiculously busy 35.

Sheffield Wednesday have seen off 21 bosses in that same time, but have high hopes for current incumbent Garry Monk.

Everton’s poker-faced Marco Silva and the other United’s Ole Gunnar Solskjaer are living dangerously. Those at Bramall Lane last month saw clearly why the latter is under threat.

Quique Sanchez Flores has gone from Watford - the 24th manager in England this season - and vultures are circling Southampton’s embattled Ralph Hasenhüttl and Daniel Farke at Norwich.

Where they will all be in another three months' time is anyone’s guess.

The bookies are waiting to take your money.

Away from managerial issues there’s something hauntingly familiar about Vivianne Miedema.

Something in the Arsenal Women’s striker’s looks, the willowy limbs, the simple, clinical style in which she scores goals.

Six and four assists at the weekend.

Making time and room to score goals is the bit that only the best strikers have, and it appears to come to the 23-year-old like breathing or eating.

Just a function of life that she doesn’t have to think about too much, a rare gift for any footballer and wonderful to watch.

The blonde hair and the Arsenal and Holland shirts help the comparison and even though she is said to have modelled her game on that of compatriot Robin Van Persie, surely there’s more of Dennis Bergkamp’s cold genius in the way she goes about her business?