"This is the sort of games we should be playing every week of course, but we are not and we have to earn the right to get back up there.
"It is an opportunity, certainly for a few of the youngsters, to show their stuff.
"The suspensions and injuries have hurt us for this game which is a shame but we will certainly be going in with an attitude to cause an upset so to speak."
Alan confirms that Ian Pearce is ruled out still, and says:
"I don't think there is any chance of him playing.
"I wouldn't say we are scratching round for a team, though I feel at the back we are a little inexperienced.
"But certainly in front of that we will have enough in our lockers to cause them problems - which we aim to do.
"I don't want to start looking for excuses before the game even kicks off; we are going to be up for it and going to Tottenham is a fantastic environment.
"We will give it a damn good shot and from what I have seen from Sunday there is a chance for us."
As for David Connolly's thigh injury, Alan reveals:
"We don't think it is too serious but it will certainly keep him out for the next couple of weeks; we feel he has a good chance of being back for the West Brom game."
Alan is delighted that Robbie Stockdale has been cleared to play but Hayden Mullins - who otherwise might have expected to deputise at centre half in the absence of Ian and the suspended Tomas Repka - is ineligible.
"Stockdale is available now which is a bit of a bonus though Mullins is out, so Robbie will get another game under his belt.
"What bothers me though is that we keep playing Wednesday nights and it gives us very little time to prepare for Saturday's game at Coventry.
"With the bodies we have lost already we really have to keep our fingers crossed that we get through that Tottenham game not just with a great result but injury free as well."