Accrington Stanley, Wycombe Wanderers, Plymouth Argyle, Blackpool and Wrexham AFC are among the teams represented as WhoScored.com run through their first EFL team of the week of 2024.

Goalkeeper: Joe Walsh (Accrington Stanley) - 8.25 rating

Accrington eased to a home 3-0 win over Salford but it wasn't all plain sailing for the hosts on New Year's Day. Joe Walsh was fortunately in inspired form between the sticks as he made five saves and claimed two high balls to return a WhoScored.com rating of 8.25.

Centre-back: Oliver Casey (Blackpool) - 9.22 rating

Blackpool earned a third home league win on the spin with a 2-0 victory over Port Vale, with Oliver Casey key. The 23-year-old scored his first league goal of the season in the success at Bloomfield Road, netting with one of two efforts, while 11 aerial duels won, nine clearances and three interceptions helped Casey to a WhoScored.com rating of 9.22.

Centre-back: Owen Bailey (Doncaster Rovers) - 8.38 rating

Joining Casey at the back is Owen Bailey, who returned a WhoScored.com rating of 8.38 in Doncaster's 3-0 win over MK Dons. Bailey put in a solid rearguard showing for the Rovers as he made six clearances, four interceptions and one tackle, and won two aerial duels, to feature here.

Centre-back: Ryan Tafazolli (Wycombe Wanderers) - 8.29 rating

Wycombe kicked off 2024 on a high as they ended a 12-game winless run with a 3-2 victory over Bristol Rovers. Centre-back Ryan Tafazolli put in a solid display at Adams Park having been directly involved in two of Wycombe's three goals, netting his side's first and providing the assist for their second from respective returns of three shots and one key pass.

Right midfield: Tatsuhiro Sakamoto (Coventry City) - 8.91 rating

Coventry claimed an impressive win at Middlesbrough on Monday as the Sky Blues secured a 3-1 win at the Riverside. Tatsuhiro Sakamoto was the star performer for Mark Robins' side having netted either side of half time from three shots in total. An additional four key passes and four interceptions meant the 27-year-old was good value for his WhoScored.com rating of 8.91.

Central midfield: Isaac Hutchinson (Walsall) - 9.44 rating

Switching to Blundell Park, Isaac Hutchinson put in his third player of the match performance having directly contributed to three of the Saddlers' six goals in their resounding win at Grimsby. The 23-year-old netted either side of half time from two of four shots, and provided the assist for Danny Johnson's late strike with one two key passes in a standout display.

Central midfield: Finn Azaz (Plymouth Argyle) - 8.58 rating

Partnering Hutchinson in the middle of the park is Plymouth's Finn Azaz, who garnered a WhoScored.com rating of 8.58 in their 3-3 draw with Watford. Azaz scored with one of seven shots at Home Park, and was unfortunate not to add an assist having made nine key passes to make the cut.

Left midfield: Harrison Burrows (Peterborough United) - 8.80 rating

The star performer for Peterborough at Derby, Harrison Burrows was directly involved in two Posh goals at Pride Park. Burrows bagged his third league goal of the campaign early in the first half and was on hand to provide the assist for Poku's strike late on. Four key passes, one shot, four clearances and two tackles helped the 21-year-old to a WhoScored.com rating of 8.80.

Striker: Steven Fletcher (Wrexham AFC) - 9.79 rating

With a WhoScored.com rating of 9.79, Wrexham's Steven Fletcher is the EFL player of the week. Wrexham ended Barrow's 14-game unbeaten run in fine fashion as they eased to a 4-1 home win and Fletcher was instrumental in the victory as evidenced by a WhoScored.com rating of 9.79. The 36-year-old netted with three of five shots and won three aerial duels to secure the player of the match award.

Striker: Morgan Whittaker (Plymouth Argyle) - 9.13 rating

Plymouth and Watford played out an entertaining 3-3 draw at Home Park to kick off 2024 with Morgan Whittaker impressing in the stalemate. Whittaker was directly involved in two of the Pilgrims' three goals, following up his goal midway through the first half with the assist for Ryan Hardie's strike shortly before the break. Those came from respective returns of 11 shots, a record in a Championship match this season, and four key passes to return a WhoScored.com rating of 9.13

Striker: Douglas James-Taylor (Walsall) - 8.89 rating

Walsall were ruthless at Grimsby to start the year as they secured a resounding 6-1 victory. Douglas James-Taylor was directly involved in two of Walsall's six goals, following up his 38th-minute goal with the assist for Isaac Hutchinson's strike five minutes later. In addition, the 22-year-old won five aerial duels to feature.

See who made WhoScored's EFL Team of the Week

See who made WhoScored's EFL Team of the Week