He was pleased with the win, and the manner of it, over Stoke on Saturday and says:
"It was important that we won the game but just as important was the display which we gave.
"In the Coventry game we didn't really have any flowing moves and we didn't really have a nice balance to the team - but obviously with Mattie and Michael coming back it helped on Saturday.
"We moved the ball around and did everything we wanted to do in the game.
"Ultimately we didn't look nervous, which was important; we looked very composed and hopefully we will take that into Saturday, where we control our own destiny.
"Watford are safe but have a lot to play for; Ray Lewington has done a good job and it is a London derby which gives it an extra edge - they won't be coming as pushovers.
"It is a vital three points and if we get them we might not have to win at Wigan.
"We have had trouble putting away teams below us in the table this season, though."
Of course it will not be the last home game of the season if West Ham finish sixth or above and Alan adds:
"I like the playoffs; if it wasn't for them a lot of teams would not have much to play for by now."
Alan is delighted that key personnel have returned at a vital time and adds:
"It is good to have Steve Lomas back; he is a leader in the centre of the field and his voice and ability is a major asset.
"Don Hutchison has been battling injury all season but now he is looking good; he has a big reputation and could play an important part.
"It would have been a bonus if Rufus Brevett had been available for the last few games but it doesn't look as if that will be the case."
Alan is keeping his fingers crossed that Christian Dailly is okay for the weekend; he has a slight hamstring problem and played the full game against Denmark on Wednesday.
"I was not too happy that Christian played on Wednesday," admits Alan, "but he felt it was his duty as Scotland captain.
"The timing of it was awful - I didn't ask Berti Vogts not to play him, but Christian is the Scotland captain and should be speaking for himself.
"He could have got the message to Berti that not so long on the pitch would have been good for him.
"It happens when you have internationals but my point to Christian was that I felt it was an untidy schedule for us."
Alan, meanwhile, dismisses the notion that he is looking to sign Wimbledon forward Wade Small.
"There is nothing to say about that - we didn't make an enquiry," he says.