Inadequate chances to seize area in retreat (5)
I believe the answer is:
saddo
'inadequate' is the definition.
(both can mean a pathetic person)
'chances to seize area in retreat' is the wordplay.
'chances' becomes 'odds' (I've seen this before).
'to seize' is an insertion indicator.
'area' becomes 'a' (maths abbreviation).
'in retreat' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'odds' going around 'a' is 'oddas'.
'oddas' back-to-front is 'SADDO'.
(Other definitions for saddo that I've seen before include "lonely person" , "Boring loner" , "nerdy type" , "He's pathetic!" , "pathetic person" .)