Michael admitted here earlier in the week that he hopes to start reproducing his form of two years ago - before injury problems kicked in, and Glenn Roeder has politely reiterated his hopes that the fans get behind him (though it was hardly the 'savage attack on the fans' one newspaper claimed it to be).
"The supporters are turning up in numbers, but I am a little bit alarmed at them maybe getting on Michael's back a little bit against West Brom," says Tony.
"I have looked at young players before at West Ham. Let's not kill what is a genuine talent - he is not in the best of form at the moment, but he is an excellent player.
"I saw what happened to Alan Dickens all those years ago, and I would hate for it to happen to Michael because he is a real big talent."
Alan was once dubbed the 'new Trevor Brooking' but, after a big money move to Chelsea, ended up driving a black cab when he should have been at the peak of his footballing powers.
Tony quips: "Nothing wrong with that, though - all my family are cab drivers!"
Tony was a contemporary of Alan and remembers: "It was sad because he was a talented player and we didn't get the best out of him. He went into his shell when he started getting a little bit of stick."
But Tony does not see the same career path for Michael, and adds: "It is a tough time for him but I will back him all the way - he is a quality player.
"I know he is at a young, tender age but he has got to realise it is not all going to be roses when you are playing professional football.
"I think he has got a strong enough character and he will be all right."
And he says the sums of money paid to players now, compared to when Alan Dickens played, shouldn't be taken into consideration, even though, after all, not many people need to work as a cabbie these days after a three-year contract with Chelsea.
"That is how people tend to look at it with everyone now," says Tony, "but I don't see it that way. I think they all go out there to do their best and they still love playing their football - as Michael does.
"I think he has just lost his way a little bit and is getting little negative thoughts.
"But he is such a good player; we saw that against Arsenal and Patrick Vieira - that is the benchmark for anyone.
"I have seen time and time again players get overwhelmed by him, but Michael was on top of him, then, the next time, against lesser players, he went into his shell again.
"He has got to be doing it week in, week out - there is a genuine talent there, but I would just suggest to the fans to lay off him because he is a good player."
He thinks playing at White Hart Lane this weekend might, curiously, be of benefit to Michael and adds: "I hope so; some players, when the flak is flying a little bit, prefer to play away from home.
"I don't think away fans can be as scathing as home fans are at times, and I think Michael will be okay.
"I fancy us to get three points, actually."