I agree w/the others 100%...you need to apply for the position. You won't know where you stand in the "pecking" order if you don't apply. If you don't get the position, then ask what you can do to improve your situation so that you can begin working on this "so called weak areas".

You won't know until you try.

Sit quietly, the answers will reveal themselves when you least expect them to.
The past is gone, the present is a gift and you need to focus on today, allow the future to reveal itself when it is ready.