As he prepares his players to try and make up for the defeat at Nottingham Forest on Sunday, he says:
"I think Derby are a strong team - as most teams are in this division - with good individuals.
"All the teams are tough to beat away, make no mistake about that, and they are trying to change things around - George has got a much better team than he had last year.
"And they will want to think they can get in the playoffs - that will be their goal."
Joe Kinnear said after his team's first win of the season over West Ham on Sunday that instead of being asked about the possibility of relegation, another win for his side would have people suggesting they can make the playoffs.
Alan concurs that it is 'dog eat dog' and says:
"We know it is going to be really tight this year, it is across the board, and no one really has any money to go and have a real attack on it like Manchester City and Fulham have in the past."