James Hird and Mick Malthouse reveal concern for Alastair Clarkson after Kangaroos' horror start

Essendon Bombers great James Hird believes North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson has lost his confidence amid another torrid start for the club.

The Kangaroos sit 16th on the ladder and have won only one match from six.

Previously on Fox Footy, Clarkson wasn't willing to give an answer when asked if he was still a cutting edge coach in the modern game.

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After North's round six loss to Carlton, Clarkson cut a rattled figure and described the loss as a "spanking".

Watching footage of his press conference, Hird had a grim observation.

"I feel like you're watching a guy there who's lost confidence in (himself). He's a great coach, he's a four-time premiership coach, built that Hawthorn team and there's no doubt he is a great coach and he's lost that confidence in himself," he said on Nine's Footy Classified.

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Legendary coach Mick Malthouse believes the draw hasn't been favourable towards the Kangaroos.

"He (Clarkson) needs a bit of luck to start off. I'll start off by saying I can't remember North Melbourne playing Richmond or West Coast at this stage of the year. Why? Because I thought the bottom six was supposed to play each other early," he said.

"It gives you a chance early to give yourself a little bit of confidence. You don't want to be getting knocked over early comprehensively. I see a really dejected group of people.

"I see a coach who ... it must be getting to the stage of he doesn't know what to do next. He's got to go back to his own principles. He is a winner."

North Melbourne next faces Port Adelaide on Saturday.