I think, personally and feel free to disagree, but our starting lineup incosistency I feel has been a huge factor in his under performance.
Sissoko has been injured, Tiago traded, Poulsen injured, Marrone barely gets a sniff, Camo injured, Machisio injured, DC a natural LB playing midfield, Candreva just brought it, Cacares playing RM...there has been no consistency for our midfield to gel and get chemistry. I think that has a huge effect on a players performance, especially one brand new to a team and as you just mentioned playing in a slightly difference position.