"It is something that the West Ham fans are not used to I should think, 46 games in the league and a few cup games here and there," says Alan.
"It is a considerable number more than the 38 you play in the Premier League and it is a lot more for the fans financially.
"The costs involved in the final are something we can't make any cheaper because it set by the Football League.
"And travel is difficult to Cardiff, so the fans have my sympathy - but hopefully the effort will be justified with the right result.
"The players have to remember that after all the money that has been spent this year, we have a chance of repaying it all - we do appreciate the support, there is no question."
In the second leg of the play-offs Alan sported a T-shirt with the slogan 'Moore Than A Football Club' and he explains:
"It was used with total respect; this is a club steeped in tradition."
He sees Saturday as, hopefully, the first phase in West Ham returning to headier heights, and he adds:
"In my opinion this club should be winning things and, in the scale of it, this might be one of the biggest things we ever win in terms of the financial rewards."
But it is sporting glory that Alan is also concerned with, and he adds:
"The winners of the play-off final will parade around the stadium with a trophy - and there is no better feeling at any club than a winning one.
"We have to focus on that."
Part of that focus in the run-up to the final will be communication, with the rare luxury of having more than a week to prepare for a game, and Alan reveals:
"We will do a lot more talking and visual input into the team because we obviously have the time to prepare that."