Save our Yoshi

Slowly but surely we're going to do it. Yoshi came into the team with a fanfare but left without as much as a whisper. The Japanese goalkeeper has trained hard but has seemingly been forgotten by the men who matter at Fratton Park, in a dare we say it, race related move by Pompey - the fact that he comes from a 'different culture' doesn't mean that he cannot adapt if given the chance.

Infact Yoshi looked like a class keeper and it is unlikely if Pompey will find someone of his calibre in the pre season. Milan is so convinced by the judgement of Rix and Redknapp that Yoshi won't make it at Fratton Park that he is prepared to make a huge loss. Japanese club Jubilo Iwata have already tabled a bid believed to be in the region of £800,000 while J-League rivals Urawa Reds are also waiting in the wings.

The fact that Yoshi isn't playing this season is something we cannot change, but the Japanese would see Yoshi's return to Japan as a failiure of their football and a failing of English football. In other words it would be a disaster for both sides. If Pompey are to progress as a club then they need to be able to accept players of Yoshi's culture and proffesional outlook - relics like Dave Beasant are of a bygone era and Pompey as a club need to move forward.

Fratton Faithful has teamed up with a Japanese PR firm working closely with the JFA to help bridge the game between Japan and England. We are meeting on Saturday and also with Yoshi next week.  Fratton Faithful wants to see Yoshi loaned out this season if he has to leave, so that he can play in the World Cup. Then he can return to be Pompey's number one - he feels he's ready, it's up for us to give him a chance.

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