"There is no one that is going to come in this week and I don't think anyone will come in before Norwich," reveals Alan, who knows he will have to shuffle the squad on Saturday in the FA cup as several players are cup-tied.
"These next two games are going to be important for us and obviously we are going to have a few bodies ineligible for Saturday, which is a shame.
"But it gives other people the chance to stake their claims."
Alan says, though, that it is not appropriate to use the Jermain Defoe money just yet, explaining:
"I can't buy someone for £4m or £5million and then not make it up; if I did that I would have to sell him again.
"The money has been put to one side but if we get promoted hopefully I will get it back, but right now that money is needed in case we don't get promoted."
Alan has brought in 12 players under his stewardship, including loans.
They are Marlon Harewood, Hayden Mullins, Brian Deane, Andy Melville, Jon Harley, Rami Shaaban, Nigel Reo-Coker, Adam Nowland, Jobi McAnuff, Sebastien Carole, Bobby Zamora, and Robbie Stockdale, the latter of whom returned to Middlesbrough following his loan spell.
"The team is starting to take a familiar look and that is always a good sign," says Alan.
"We have got the personnel now to worry anybody."
Alan is now looking for a big push after three wins in a row, and he adds:
"We are right in there now when we were falling away.
"Two or three performances have put us back in and now it is time to make a push for it.
"I certainly feel we are ready to do that and we definitely have a squad that could potentially win most of their games - and that is what we have got to try to do."
Alan feels that other sides will be looking anxiously over their shoulders at West Ham, and explains:
"It is always important to be in there - and we are now in touching distance of the top two.
"There are six points between us and West Brom - with 17 games left.
"It is a small margin and other teams will be starting to look at us."