Carlton coach Brett Ratten is flirting with dropping star small forward Eddie Betts, but is wary of the potential psychological impact.

The speedy 24-year-old was Carlton's top goal-kicker last season with 42 majors and booted three in this year's season-opener against Richmond.

But Betts has managed just three goals since and none in last Saturday's draw against Essendon, when he picked up just seven disposals.

While Ratten is leaning towards retaining the forward - he rates him one of the Blues' most talented players - for this Saturday's clash with Adelaide, it is no certainty.

"It will be reviewed at match committee, Eddie would be the first to put his hand up and say he's not in great form," Ratten said.

"The bit that we need to do as a coaching group and especially me as a coach is to get the best out of Eddie.

"When he is up and going he is in the top handful of players at our football club.

"We need to get him back to that form."

Ratten said if the Blues' selection committee axed Betts on Thursday night, the goalsneak would need to be helped through it.

"The psychology of that going forward will be very powerful, in (Betts needing) the supportive aspect of the team and the people around him and we'll have a look at that," he said.

"But I would more lean to leaving him in the team than leaving him out."

Ratten said the Blues had not been emotionally scarred by their draw with the Bombers, despite having late chances to seal victory.

Small forward Jeff Garlett could have kicked a clinching goal, but was run down by Essendon veteran Dustin Fletcher, while midfielder Kade Simpson turned the ball over by kicking out on the full inside the last minute.

Ratten said the closing minutes were analysed, but not dwelled on any more than earlier parts of the match.

He said shutting down games by retaining possession and running down the clock was becoming harder, as all clubs pushed greater numbers into attack.

Meanwhile, Ratten said the Crows had shown in patches they were extremely dangerous despite having just one win from three matches so far.

He nominated young midfielder/forward Patrick Dangerfield as a major threat, along with midfield veteran Scott Thompson and marking targets Kurt Tippett and Taylor Walker.

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