(Sports Network) - The Philadelphia Phillies have been labeled as underachievers over the past few seasons and are doing little to change that perception this year.

From 2001-05, the Phillies have averaged 85 wins as season. That's a respectable number, but one that isn't going to get you into the postseason. In fact, the club hasn't been to the playoffs since 1993 and don't think for a second that the championship-starved fans in Philadelphia haven't noticed.

The biggest difference between this season and every other year since 2001 is that the Phillies have begun their slide much earlier. For example, Philly was in the wild card race until the last day of the season in 2005. Currently the club is 40-47 and 12 games behind the Mets for first place in the NL East,

If the team's poor play wasn't bad enough, the Phillies have also had to deal with the off-the-field problems of ace Brett Myers. The young right-hander was charged with assault after allegedly hitting his wife in the face on a Boston street late last month. That has made it exponentially harder for the organization to sell this club to an already frustrated fan base.

Countless baseball critics all over the country have tried to figure out why this team consistently falls beneath expectations and are left scratching their heads.

The players are also perplexed at their lack of consistency, insisting that the team has enough talent and desire to not only make the playoffs but also challenge for a World Series title.

One thing is certain, this team is a funk and needs a major change if it wants to salvage this season. Most people believe the shake-up will come with the eventual firing of manager Charlie Manuel, but the fact that the club hasn't done that already could mean that the skipper will go down with the ship this season.

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER - Ryan Howard. When the Phillies traded Jim Thome to the White Sox in the offseason they were essentially handing the reins over to Ryan Howard at first base. This deal could have been a disaster since Thome regained his power stroke, but Howard hasn't given Philly fans a chance to complain. Last year's NL Rookie of the Year is hitting .278 and leads the Phillies in home runs (28) and runs batted in (71). Howard also gained some national publicity this week when he won the Home Run Derby at the All-Star Games festivities.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT - Starting pitchers. Sure, the Phillies rotation has suffered through a rash of injuries this season, but they haven't pitched well when healthy either. Legal issues aside, Myers has been the club's most consistent starter with a 5-3 mark and 3.86 earned run average. Cory Lidle is next in line with a 5-7 record and 4.95 ERA. Jon Lieber was the team's opening day starter, but is just 3-6 with a 5.47 ERA in 12 starts. Lieber did miss the entire month of June with a strained groin.

SECOND HALF PROJECTION - The first few weeks after the All-Star break could be critical for the Phillies. The ship has sailed on the NL East race, but Philly is still just 5 1/2 games out of the wild card spot. If Manuel's club can make some noise over the next few weeks, the Phillies could change from sellers to buyers at this year's trade deadline. If not, Manuel could be out of a job and some veterans could be wearing new uniforms. The latter scenario seems likelier.