"To be honest I haven't lost too many games in 2003, personally, but it has been a tough year in terms of my old team missing out on the playoffs and then the move to West Ham," he reflects.
"Likewise, for the club it has been a very tough year to get relegated having had a decent run to almost get out of it.
"Then the manager was lost and a new manager has come in after the success of Trevor, and that has not really kicked in too quickly."
Alan has no regrets about the move from Berkshire to east London, though, and he adds:
"Certainly I am really pleased I am here; I know it is a great club and we just have to get going again and let's hope it is this year."
Alan is still aiming for the title, and he adds:
"We have got enough in-house to give this a good go this year and hopefully we can get another couple of players in."
"If we do that we are certainly going to be there or thereabouts, and our priority, while there remains a mathematical possibility, is still to win it.
"And that is why every dropped point is crucial to us."