MAYA Yoshida believes Sofiane Boufal’s stunning solo strike in the 1-0 win over West Bromwich Albion will send “a message” to Saints’ other attacking players that they must also step up in front of goal.

The Morocco international scored his first goal in 23 Premier League games in spectacular fashion, cutting through the Baggies defence from inside the Saints half.

The 24-year-old left everyone in his wake – including Allan Nyom and Craig Dawson who collided and fell over each other as they chased substitute Boufal, who slotted home the 85th-minute winner four minutes after coming on.

"If the guy from the bench came on and has shown that quality it is a message to other players," said Yoshida.

"Their feeling will be ‘I have to score’, ‘I have to show something like this’.

"That’s the kind of competition we needed and he’s shown it today."

The Japan international revealed that he chatted with Mauricio Pellegrino in training during the week, with the 46-year-old boss already planning to introduce Nathan Redmond and Boufal late in the game “to make the difference”.

"That was the plan of the manager because I spoke to him before the game and after a training session," he said.

"We play attacking football and dominate and we were going to put Redders (Nathan Redmond) and Sofiane (Boufal) on to make the difference.

"After the second half it became open and there were so many spaces in the midfield. If that kind of player has space they can do what they want.

"That’s what the manager wanted and Sofiane showed his quality.

"I know he was struggled through the season so far but we have good competition between the players so I am very happy for him."

Boufal has started just once in nine Premier League matches and has often had to make-do with coming off the bench late on.

"Sometimes he’s been on the bench, sometimes out of the squad because we have so many players," Yoshida said.

"It’s not just the amount of centre-backs, but every position.

"I am really happy that someone came in and showed that quality."

After conceding two goals in the 2-2 draw against Newcastle United last week, the 29-year-old centre-back admitted there had been discussions in the Saints camp this week about the defence.

"We had a meeting this week and the manager spoke about a pyramid and if we have no base there’s no point in building anything at the top," he said.

"That’s true we need to make a really, really solid basement on the floor and defensively we are building a very good base but now we need to build the attack now as well."

They achieved that against West Brom, tallying their fourth clean sheet of the campaign – albeit against a Baggies side showing scarcely any attacking intent whatsoever.

Yoshida was delighted to seal a first win in three Premier League matches in this match, but was critical of his own performance.

"After the last game we needed to get some points, as many as we can, before the next international break, because after the international break we will have a really tough run of fixtures," said Yoshida.

"I am happy but individually I need to improve a lot in the small details, especially if we play against the bigger teams we might get punished.

"Individually I need to improve and as a team we need to improve about the attacking side. We need to keep keeping clean sheets. Not just in one game, that’s not enough."

He continued: "We had a lot of chances today and I feel we need to score as well. I want to improve in the small things. Instead of clearances I can get my ball control and start again, something like this.

"I want to improve more and more. I think these are good things because I keep playing every week and I feel then I can do more and better.

"That’s a really good feeling as a player to play constantly and pushing myself a lot and harder and harder. That’s a great situation physically and mentally."