"Just because we are on a great run, it doesn't matter - you still have to work hard," he says.
"We have got some critical games coming up and I think they have to go for the three points at Southampton.
"Up front is where we are going to get the selection problem, but for me Fredi should start with Les to come on if needed."
Jermain Defoe's place is assured, though, and Tony adds:
"I think when he didn't really have a partner earlier in the season it made him come of age and now we will see the best of him; he is a star player in the making."
Tony is pleased that Glen Johnson has made his U21 debut and adds:
"He is young but like Rooney he is so carefree they don't realise the pressure on them."
As for David James' appearance against Turkey, he says:
"It was a great performance for England and he has been playing well lately; his biggest enemy can be himself because sometimes he suffers from over-confidence, but he is a great goalkeeper and for me, England's best choice at the moment."
Tony reckons that Southampton will be thinking about their FA Cup semi final the week after and explains:
"Whatever Gordon Strachan says or the team they will have one thought on the FA Cup because they are so close.
"He will be emphasising that they are playing for places but I don't think their mind will be fully on it."
As for James Beattie, he says: "I played with James Beattie up at Blackburn; I don't think he is quite England quality just yet he has to improve on bringing other people into play, but he is a great striker of the ball."
Tony has already worked out how many points he thinks West Ham will get this season and adds:
"I think we will end up with over 40 points - I have sat there and worked things out like most supporters.
"We have to look at Villa and Middlesbrough at home, and I don't think Chelsea are all they are cracked up to be, so if we make it a high tempo game we could get a result."
The next League goal Southampton let it will be the 250th they have conceded in home Premiership encounters.
Should the game end in a draw, it will be their 50th away draw in the Premiership and a defeat would be the 100th on the road in the top league.
SQUAD: James, van der Gouw, Bywater, Johnson, Repka, Pearce, Dailly, Brevett, Bowyer, Sofiane, Cole, Carrick, Breen, Cisse, Hutchison, Sinclair, Defoe, Ferdinand L, Lomas, Kanoute.