Here in Scotland, our FA has been trying to integrate B teams into some semi-pro competitions (regional leagues, lower league cup) and almost everyone dislikes it.

They’ve not been very good either; 4 of the 10 teams in the Challenge Cup (for teams outside the Premiership) have already been knocked out at the league stage, and 3 more will have a tough time making it. You might have seen the other day that Hearts B got beaten 14-0, but a few other B teams have been given smaller skelpings.

Most people feel the 12-team league format is too small for teams to feel comfortable giving their young players any minutes, and the inclusion of B teams feels like a quick fix rather than expanding the leagues to provide that cushion.

I know that in most countries in mainland Europe, reserve teams are allowed to play as high as the (semi-)professional leagues, but Scotland has never had anything close to that, and I find it a bit strange that something fairly common in continental football is so unaccepted up here.

If your pro league has reserve teams, how do you feel about it?