His comments come in the context of discussing Rio Ferdinand, who popped into West Ham's dressing room at Wolves on Sunday to speak to brother Anton.
First things first; how does Alan feel Anton performed at Molineux?
"He got an injury towards the end; it wasn't a complete performance from him and he knows that," he says.
"He is learning the game, he is only young, he has got fantastic attributes and is very similar to his brother."
Talking of Rio's presence, he adds:
"It was nice to see him there on Sunday; he came in the dressing room and it was a nice lift for us all to see a West Ham legend in there.
"Anton wants to be like his brother - he wants to be better than his brother, it is that brotherly thing you have.
"You want to be better and stronger and there was a bit of banter between the two, and Rio would have been proud of him on Sunday - he performed more than adequately."
Rio is of course one of many players the club has sold over the years to the chagrin of supporters, and Alan says emphatically:
"Never mind him starting at West Ham, he should still be playing for us; that is what we want the club to grow into, a club where players like Rio will stay.
"The history of this club shows that hasn't been the case but it doesn't mean that lasts forever.
"That is something that only success can turn round but if you don't have goals of turning into a club that doesn't have to sell, then what is the point?"