it really does not matter if they deserve to be there or not... they are!! and its an atttraction to players. it also does not matter if we are a better team, on papper celtic are a bigger attraction and club than hull city. and the forrest example i woukd put us above them obviously we are a pl team there a championship team. however if we both got promoted this season i think players would choose them over use again due to past history/reputation of the club. unless we payed over the odds...
So what if Newcastle, Stoke or Norwich end up going down this year? Are they still a bigger club than us? Surely if they are now, they will be in the championship?