Whether one of them is Nigel Reo-Coker at Wimbledon remains to be seen, but Alan says:
"I want to bring a couple of faces in, we are actively looking at the market, and we have obviously generated some money," he says.
"It is not a great deal but it is enough to change things and that is the bottom line here.
"I wasn't prepared after the Preston game to just carry on as we were - I wanted to shake it up while there is still time.
"Let's make it clear that I am going for it this year; if I was waiting for next year I would have just gone along with the team that I had.
"But it wasn't good enough, we haven't been in the top two all year, and that for me is a telling signal."
On the sale of Ian, Alan confirms:
"That is done; the details can't be disclosed but it is a great deal for us and likewise for Ian it is a move back to the Premiership.
"He has been great here, he has helped me a lot, and I wish him all the best.
"In terms of us it gives us the chance to move things around in other areas.
"We have obviously got a natural replacement in Andy Melville, and also we have managed to get Jon Harley out of there as well so it is a question of using that money wisely that we have gained from Pearcey to strengthen other parts of our squad."
Regarding Anthony Barness, whose proposed move from Bolton on loan was aborted when Sam Allardyce recalled him to play left back in the win over Portsmouth at the weekend, Alan says:
"I had agreed a loan with Bolton and they perhaps thought they were going to get a couple of players in, but it didn't happen.
"They did an about-turn and it was very harsh on us bearing in mind it was half past nine on Friday morning.
"Luckily the Pearce deal hadn't gone through and I managed to get Jon Harley.
"I wouldn't say with Anthony it was absolutely dead and buried but it was a blow to Anthony Barness because he really wanted to come.
"But Jon played really well on Saturday, Anton did well at right back, and they both deserve another look so that is on hold."
As for rumours about David Connolly going to Wolves, who West Ham of course play at the weekend, Alan says:
"I guarantee that he won't be going to Wolves and that he will be a West Ham player until the end of this campaign.
"People say he wasn't scoring but he was playing a deeper role and he was diligent at that.
"He went straight back up front, got his goals, and has been terrific for me."
Alan is taking a closer look at Yeovil goalkeeper Chris Weale on trial, and he reveals:
"This kid has got a fantastic chance of being a top goalkeeper; it may be that it is too early for us to take him but it might be that we take that gamble.
"That is why I am having a look at him; we have had our eyes on him for a while and we wanted to bring him in to see what his character and temperament were like - but it looks sound."
He has been reportedly been looked at by Southampton, Newcastle, Fulham, West Ham, Preston, Ipswich and Nottingham Forest.
Meanwhile, Neil Mellor knock might not be available at the weekend after taking a knock on Saturday.