On the basis of the thread title and criteria applied: [save on fans] I would have to say overwhelmingly us. Financially fragile, a crumbling dated ground and a squad that is barely premiership standard [as individuals]. We have been punching above our weight for some time... and long may it continue.

However, some are answering on the basis of who we would like to go down. Too many options for me. Fulham are tedious premiership make-weights who I would happily see humbled. And Sunderland - I lived in Newcastle for 3 years and it is impossible not to be infected by that intense rivalry; and I will never forgive them for exchanging the fabulous Roker Park for the anaemic Stadium of Sh1te.

There's lots of what we'd like as opposed to what is likely. The American have an answer. Over there a team has to join one of the two main leagues, NFL or AFL. And it cost $millions. But a team has to justify their application by showing they have the stadia to take 40,000 minimum. Also there has to be a fan base or at least a pulling area to fill these places. Then there is the neccessary training facilities as well as local community interaction. Lastly each team has to have our equivalent of academies, but, surprisingly these are not so entwined nor regulated by the LEAs as in England. But they do have to have really top facilitis and medical and training staff. Once all this is satisfied a team is admitted into the leagues. After a year of competing at the appropriate level in front of the expected gates, then they may be granted a rebate.
Not only this, no team can just go ahead and 'buy' or employ any of the top academy (college) youth. Each team has to join the recruitment queue that is formulated by the league itself and gives preffrence to teams from 'down the league', thus ensuring a constant turn-round of success, so encouraging support for all teams. A champion team one year may be at the bottom a few years on. It does create a strong league though at the expence of surprise. Why would a team like, say, Gillingham, want to invest in a new ground with big stands if there is a chance they will go out of the league in a few years. So teams like that will never advance and, as Malcom Allison once said, supporters will contiue to get spinters up their arse! A bit crude, but we knew what he meant.

This. Don't think any other criteria applies - fanbase, size of stadium, ambition (read: money).

People said Wigan didn't deserve the Prem because of their small fanbase. But the fans who followed them deserved it, the players deserved it, and the manager deserved it. Fair enough IMO

This.

We are in no position to claim others don't deserve to be in this league. All we can do is focus on our own games, and let the points dictate who stays and who goes.

RED AND BLUE ARMY!

Newcastle is a city I loved visiting, Middleborough ugly but alright, even Whitby was really pleasant in the middle of winter. But Sunderland was a terrible. It might just have been the hatred of students and the location of the university, but without doubt its people were just nasty, spiteful scum. I'm sure its not true of the whole city, but my experience was basically it was a population of s**ts, scum and spiteful f**kers. And this was confirmed by a mate of mine, who was from Sunderland who was desperate to avoid going back.

"One Nation Under God, has turned into One Nation Under the Influence of One Drug"
[Link]

Cardiff definitely. They sold their soul to the devil and pleasingly the devil has royally fvcking them. Relegation to the champ would be the money shot.

West Ham - sadly not going to happen but fat Sam is an arrogant cvnt.

Sunderland because as someone else has said, they were stupid enough to hire Poyet who had not earnt the right to manage in the prem.

I quite like Fulham. They're fvcked though.

You'll be forever in my family's memories and it was an honor and privilege to play and lead in the red and blue
Yours sincerely
Mile Jedinak