As any Arsenal fan knows, managing expectation is a key ingredient to the enjoyment of sport. 
Oh no: Rory McIlroy looks distraught after his Masters challenge fell away on Sunday Photo: AP By Sarah Crompton 7:34PM BST 12 Apr 2011
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The agony of truly expecting to win, and then discovering that somehow you have managed to lose, is the worst feeling in the world.
Anticipating pleasure and being disappointed is always more depressing than approaching an event with low expectations and finding them fulfilled (an attitude West Brom fans, for example, have carefully cultivated over the years.)
A big event such as the Grand National or The Masters always promises much pleasure, yet waking up after the weekend I found myself downcast.
