The Japanese defender has just completed his fourth season at St Mary's, but where does he stand in the pecking order.

Yoshida has been mainly regarded as a back up in his time at Saints, with an ability to play either in central defence or both full back roles he has been handy to have on the bench.

But this season is perhaps one that sees the club's ambitions running ahead of Yoshida's ability's.

He started 10 games in the Premier League plus another 10 off the bench and scored one goal, that goal though coming against West Ham at St Mary's was a vital one and ultimately was the difference between the club finishing sixth or seventh and in terms of Europa League qualification level that was worth a few bob.

But this doesn't gloss over the fact that overall it was not a good season for the Japanese defender, it seemed in every game he had a mistake in him, sometimes it would be punished and at other times it would not, but he always seemed to have that lapse in concentration at some point that could cost us dearly, even coming off the bench it was there, within seconds of coming off the bench in the final minute in the 1-0 win at Swansea he had made an unnecessary clumsy tackle in the box which should have been given as a penalty and again that could have cost us sixth place in the overall standings.

Certainly it seemed that Ronald Koeman was starting to feel the same way and he was barely used in the final half of the season with Martina overtaking him in the pecking order.

So perhaps its time for Yoshida to move on, he has been a good servant to the club albeit an erratic one, but now is the time to move him on and replace him with someone with the talent to blossom going forward, there is no point in having both Yoshida and Martina in the squad, they are two players effectively doing one job.

Watch what Nick, Clive and Freddie think of Yoshida by clicking on the link below.

Photo: Action Images

BUCK added 10:22 - May 28 He would be perfect in the Bournemouth side. They were too leaky last season and I'm sure he could help that squad out
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ThereIn76 added 11:08 - May 28 He filled in at right back when asked to despite it not being his position by any stretch of the imagination. That sums him up - a solid, loyal squad player who will do whatever job is asked of him. No ego. Saints should think carefully before letting him go. And his goal in the Capital One Cup v Villa was a great moment.
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aceofthebase added 14:03 - May 28 He is not the only player that has made mistakes that have cost us goals but you always seem to pick on Yoshida. If the criteria is 'if you make mistakes then it's time to move on' then perhaps we should sack the whole team, perhaps excuse VVD. If needed Yoshida makes a fair job of it. 7/10
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saintinexile added 16:52 - May 28 He is what he is, why keep picking on him? I've seen that tackle at Swansea dozens of times. It wasn't given as a penalty because it wasn't a penalty.
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