Newcastle's Premier League survival is good news for Albion.

Part of me wishes the Toon were heading back to the Amex to have their noses rubbed in it again after losing twice there in the FA Cup.

Both Newcastle and Sunderland, also Amex victims in the League Cup, are irritating in the way they portray themselves as mighty clubs, especially when facing each other.

They always seem to be under the misguided impression that everyone cares passionately about the North-East derby.

That said, it is better for Albion that Hull are in the Championship and not Newcastle.

Of course, Newcastle would have been a much bigger attraction.

They would also have been hot favourites to go straight back up, as they did under Albion boss Chris Hughton in 2009-10 after dropping into the second tier.

The Championship is hard enough already without the addition of a club almost guaranteed to be involved, at the very least, in the fight for a top six finish.

The same cannot be said of Hull. It is hard to know what to expect from them next season.

Will Steve Bruce stay? Can they find an answer to the same problem that has bugged Albion, a desperate shortage of goals?

Even with Hull rather than Newcastle it is hard to see the three clubs relegated from the Premier League faring collectively any worse than their predecessors in the Championship next season.

Hughton's old club Norwich finished third, Cardiff 11th, Fulham 17th.

The latter's neighbours Queens Park Rangers are in a mess again. Albion FA Cup finalist Chris Ramsey has his work cut out at Loftus Road.

Burnley, on the other hand, can be expected to mount a strong challenge under the admirable Sean Dyche, despite the prospect of losing key players like Danny Ings and Kieran Trippier.

They adopted a level-headed approach to their surprise promotion, remained competitive throughout the season and now have the substantial compensation of parachute payments to soften the blow of coming straight back down.

The Championship newcomers from League One, Bristol City, MK Dons and Preston North End, have a lot to live up to.

The three clubs promoted the year before, Brentford, Wolves and Rotherham, finished fifth, seventh and 21st respectively.

It would not be a surprise to see runaway champions Bristol under ex-Albion loan striker Steve Cotterill do well.

Holding out for a near £2 million fee from the Seagulls for Sam Baldock, the leading marksman in League One in 2013-14, did nothing to dent their aspirations.

There is a freshness and vitality about MK Dons under the well-regarded Karl Robinson, who was linked to the Albion post when Sami Hyypia left.

Simon Grayson's Preston, handsome winners over Swindon in Sunday's play-off final, possess a stout Championship pedigree.

It may be asking a lot for two of the trio to press for the play-offs but it is plausible that none of them will be in similar peril to Rotherham.

Hughton will be glad to see the back of his old club Norwich after their victory over Middlesbrough in yesterday's play-off final.

The Canaries had probably the best squad in the Championship and the parachute benefits accrued from the top flight status they have now regained.

Boro could suffer the same sort of play-off fatigue as Derby, Albion and Wigan.

With two of his ex-employers, Newcastle and Norwich, not in the way, Hughton's task next season has just become a tad easier but Birmingham, Burnley, Bristol City and company will ensure the Championship remains as competitive as ever.