How to play this better? ($10NL)

[Pants_101]

I make a weak bet on the flop because I want the flush draws to stick around obviously. Would you bet the turn or do you like the defensive check? On the river I've shown no strength so why would he make a big bet if he wanted to be called? I smell a bluff, what do you think? Would a blocking bet on the river be a good play?

cheers all

Party Poker
No Limit Holdem Ring game
Blinds: $0.05/$0.10
9 players
Converter

Stack sizes:
UTG: $2.25
UTG+1: $9.85
Hero: $10.07
MP2: $9.10
MP3: $3.51
CO: $19.34
Button: $9.30
SB: $10.19
BB: $6.96

Pre-flop: (9 players) Hero is MP1 with A T
UTG calls, UTG+1 folds, Hero raises to $0.4, MP2 calls, MP3 calls, 2 folds, SB calls, BB calls, UTG calls.

Flop: A J 2 ($2.4, 6 players)
SB checks, BB checks, UTG checks, Hero bets $1, MP2 calls, 4 folds.

Turn: 7 ($4.4, 2 players)
Hero checks, MP2 checks.

River: 8 ($4.4, 2 players)
Hero checks, MP2 bets $4.1, Hero ???

[bigspenda73]

Bet a lot bigger on the flop. At least to $2.
I probably just full pot the flop and get it in on the turn or a large amount of it.

[Miffed22001]

pot flop pot turn push river.
thsi pot needs to be big on the river, considering 1/3rd the time you hit a draw that no ace is folding too and youre ahead a load anyway.

[swiggidy]

what's a defensive check OOP?

[Pants_101]

Dunno, I'll try an aggressive check next time Or rather I'll build the pot as those wiser than me have suggested.