Should 3rd Place Championship Teams Go Up?

Derby suffered their umpteenth defeat of the season to Everton on Sunday, and have yet to justify their place in the Premier League yet this season. The guys at Left Back think that Derby are so poor, the EPL should be fined for letting them participate.

The previous year, Watford had a similar ride, picking up few points and being relegated several games before the end of the season.

So if the Premier League is to establish itself as the best league in the world, should it be letting 2nd rate sides play with the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal et al? Or would that just be plain snobbery? Let look at the cases for, and against, teams like Derby competing in the top flight.

1. The Play-Offs

For: Without the play-offs for 3rd place, the Championship wouldn't be nearly as exciting. Just 2 teams that go up? Sounds very dull and elitist.
Against: The play-offs aren't bad, but it should be the second place team with the second-bottom team from the Prem. A true test of who deserves their place in the top flight.

2. Dreams

For: The dreams of smaller clubs should be easier to realise. Making it into the top flight would be a proud day for most clubs, why decrease their chances by 33%?
Against: Once the 3rd place team is promoted, they are effectively humped dry by most teams in the league, turning watching your club into a miserable, depressing and sordid affair. More like shattered dreams.

3. Unpredictability

For: The great thing about smaller teams being in the EPL, is that sometimes upsets are caused, sometimes affecting the title race and making football that bit more interesting.
Against: And sometimes, in fact most times, the bigger clubs will brush past them with a 2nd string side as they await a real challenge. The only thing unpredictable is how the 3rd-placed team will handle the humiliation of losing 6-0... again.

4. Guaranteed Entertainment

For: Even when said smaller-club loses, it provides entertainment in the form of goals and sweeping attacking play by the other side.
Against: It also guarantees 3 points for the other side, and sometimes there's nothing more dull than watching a one-sided encounter.

5. History

For: Some 3rd place clubs perform well when they are promoted; West Ham United, Bolton Wanderers and Ipswich to name a few.
Against: Watford (twice), Derby, Crystal Palace, Wolves...

6. Money

For: It's good that smaller clubs get a share of the pie. It's very bad for the game how all the wealth is concentrated at the top, and it's leading to a huge divide in quality between the Premier League and the Championship.
Against: The Premier League isn't a charity. There's a reason why the top clubs get more money, because they're better, play some of the most attractive football in Europe, and fully deserve their place in the top flight. The last thing they need is some wee team effectively nicking their cash because they managed 3rd place in a lesser league. Hardly seems right.

Well, there's the 2 sides of my brain written out for you. What do you reckon Liquid Fans?