He was good last year and started brightly but doesn't seem interested the last few games. Think he might have the mentality that he'll walk into every game as there are no other left-backs in the team. He needs some competition to make him hungry to play again. Same to be honest applies for Clingan, he hasn't quite seemed himself so far. I think complacency could be the problem.
Look at how lively ROD has been the last couple of games now he has competition in the shape of Cody! He nearly looks decent now.
Hussey - in my opinion his confidence is shot and if we had anything that could be called a squad he would be rested. He has some potential but he is now treating the ball like a hot potato and just getting rid asap. His crossing is woeful and this area more than any other needs addressing.
Clingan - carrying too much responsibility? Is he fully over the virus that kept him out of the International? With his contract up at end of season is he insulted by what club have offered and is off asap and doesn't want to get injured?
ROD can look ultra lively all day long - doesn't alter the fact that he is a League 2 striker at best and more likely Blue Square Prem. We desperately need Cody to come good or we are stuffed. And if Platt is the answer then I would hate to see the question.
I personally think that Juke and Cody/Eastwood would make a good partnership - Juke holds the ball up very well and is more than capable of beating a player, which should hopefully draw other defenders away from Eastwood/McDonald.
I was raving about Hussey last season myself, but he's looked terrible this year - I can only agree it maybe a mixture of complacency/lacking confidence. In midfield I think having Deegan back will be a big help. Clingan was almost being expected to make a big tackle then set up the attacks, so having Deegan (and Thomas as well by early impressions) to take a little of the pressure off him could help. Ofc. we do need more cover of course but, what we've got back from injury, could alliviate some of the pressure.
PLaying behind Lil Sheff is always a problem, because he can't tackle ~ so that puts pressure on the left back, but the diamond can leave the midfield in front of the full empty to the diagonal ball, and thats a different game to play, because it means zonal marking rather than man marking.