The academy director is currently out there with a squad of youngsters for the Phillips Lighting 7-a-side tournament this weekend - and admits he is torn between using 3-2-1 or 2-3-1!
"The games are seven minutes each way on a full size pitch," he says, "and although we couldn't recreate the heat and humidity out here back at Little Heath, we have practised.
"The players favour 2-3-1, but hopefully we will not play in the first couple of games and then we will be able to see how other teams deal with it.
"It is hit and miss, but it is a good chance to experience a culture that you wouldn't otherwise go to."
There are 16 teams in the tournament, in groups of four, and to progress via the three games played on the Saturday West Ham will have to finish in the top two or, failing that, they will instead go through to the Plate competition.
Either way, they will have to win three more games on the Sunday to come home with some silverware. There is a 10 man squad in the far east, and Tony admits:
"Taking just one goalkeeper is a gamble, and if Glenn gets injured I think it will be Elliot who goes in goal."
SQUAD: Glenn Jackson, James Allen, Billy Mehmet, Terry Khan, Elliot Ward, Anton Ferdinand, Phil Lumsden, Graeme Carrick, Dean Smith, Glen Jackson.
* Christian scored with a header in a 4-0 win - Scotland's first victory in five attempts since Bertie Vogts took over, and Christian's second goal under him.