"I believe the players we have brought in can feature in the Premiership; if you buy players just to get you out of this division you are in trouble," he insists.
"Part of the process is the immediate return to the Premiership but if that is not the case we are all set to have a really good go at it next year.
"The problem would be the financial implications of not making it and season ticket sales would be important."
He says the mood is excellent after a period of change and explains:
"Hard days here, and there have been some, bond you sometimes more than wins - we have kept our chins up and that is what gels you as a club.
"The more experienced players had to adapt because they were used to seeing the Di Canios and the Kanoutes about the place and that is a bit different from, say, Marlon Harewood or whoever.
"But at long last the spirit is strong and players have adapted."
Looking back on his time so far at the club, he adds:
"I wanted to lay the foundations straight away and look at the long term signing of young players - to use every penny well and recruit good players that we could afford.
"I also felt the way forward was with a sports science programme and I wanted a drip feed mentality to show the players the right way ahead.
"Glenn Roeder started that process, to be fair, and I have added to that.
"Every day we want to get the message over as to how to conduct themselves as a West Ham player and in their careers.
"Belief, though, has to come from the players themselves."
As to West Ham being some bookies' favourites to go up, he says:
"The size of the club determines that people look on us favourably.
"The top two places got away from us so it is important we go into the playoffs with momentum - and I would like to finish third."
Looking at the Wigan game, he adds:
"We have an army of fans with us but nothing surprises me with this club; they have been fantastic all year especially away from home where we have had a real great following.
"I am looking forward to seeing them all up there and we are obviously going to try and win the game; there are some selection problems because everyone is playing well.
"It is a tough decision for me but it won't be taken lightly and I will go with the side I think is strongest at Wigan.
"I look on it as being a case whereby if we beat them we knock them out.
"We have had more attention to detail on this than any other game so as to focus the players."
Marlon could win the accolade as the division's top scorer but Alan says:
"Individual trophies don't mean much to me.
As for THAT penalty against Watford, and Marlon Harewood's retake of it, he says:
"I wasn't keen because I felt that if you miss a penalty you have a negative in your mind - but he was very strong to take it and luckily he scored."
As for whether Christian Dailly or Don Hutchison can claim the second goal, he adds:
"I am leaving them to sort it out - they are big enough!"