As Match of the Day celebrates its 60th anniversary, Danny Murphy has finally answered the question that was on the minds of many fans.
The BBC's flagship programme first aired on 22 August 1964 and has since featured over 5,000 episodes.
Mirroring live Premier League football action, the programme reviews every game from the most recent round with experts providing analysis throughout.
But there is one issue regarding the show's structure that often gives viewers pause for thought.
And that was the question talkSPORT's Jim White put to the regular reporters. Match of the day Expert and former England midfielder Danny Murphy.
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He was asked to explain how the show decides in what order to review each of the weekend's games, with different teams often being presented first in the running order.
And Murphy explained that there was only one consideration when deciding the structure of the show.
“It's an old debate that goes on and on,” he told talkSPORT.
“Fans get very upset about it. It's just based on which game is the best.”
“Does Gary (Lineker) pick him?” White asked.
“No!” Murphy replied. “There's a producer in charge of the show and if he says this game is going to be ahead of that one, Gary has to accept it.”
“It's based solely on the best game!
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“For example, if you have a 4-4 between Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth and a 0-0 between Manchester United and Liverpool, they are not going to start with Manchester United vs Liverpool.
“The big clubs, of course, will have an advantage: they have a bigger audience.
“If Manchester United vs Liverpool is 2-1 and the other game is 3-3, United vs Liverpool will prevail regardless of which 3-3 it is… because it's Manchester United vs Liverpool.
“But usually the best games start at the beginning.”
While the show was still enjoying notable success and ratings figures, White questioned Murphy and his regular co-host. Simon Jordan As for the longevity of the program.
He wondered if the program could continue to exist to celebrate its centenary.
And while Jordan made it clear he was no fan of another of the BBC's long-running programmes, Football Focus, which he described as “nonsense”, he admitted the content of Match of the Day still captured his interest.
Murphy called his verdict “a bit harsh” but agreed with Jordan's opinion on Match of the Day.
“Unlike Football Focus, who have completely screwed it up, Match of the Day are doing everything they can to try and get into must-see territory,” Jordan explained.
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“But the fundamental requirement for which I was there is still taking place, which is the discussion about live football.
“The interesting thing about all this is the Premier League. The Premier League probably wouldn't exist in its current form if Match of the Day hadn't featured in the original broadcast deal.
“I think it's a good product. I don't think there's any evidence that it's declining.”
“I don't think there's any evidence to suggest that audiences don't want to see it because it appears at certain times.
“It doesn't matter if you like the commentators or the individual experts.”
