The former champions travel to Ireland to take on Connacht on Saturday having recorded two wins and a draw in the opening rounds of league action.
And Tandy insists discipline will be key at the Galway Sportsground with former Scotland fly-half Dan Parks prolific with the boot.
“It is important that we keep the penalty count down because Connacht are difficult enough to beat without handing them opportunities for points,” said Tandy.
“We know how tough it is to play them on their own ground.
“Not only do they have some decent guys behind, but they also have a physical pack and their scrum is developing. It is going to be a physical challenge and we have prepared accordingly. We want to focus on our own game and get that right.”
The Ospreys have made a hugely impressive start to the season and appear to have addressed their problems out wide – scoring more tries than anyone in the league with the exception of Munster.
But Tandy insists there is still plenty of room for improvement and he will welcome back yet another British & Irish Lion to the starting XV with Justin Tipuric starting in the number seven jersey.
“We are far from the finished article,” said Tandy.
“We’ve seen a lot of positives this season, but there’s still a hell of a lot of work for us to do and while there was improvement against Edinburgh there are areas to tighten up.
“In the wider channels we are being turned over too easily, which is something we need to address.
“We are still getting the boys to gel after the summer. It was Alun Wyn Jones’s first start last week and it will be Justin Tipuric’s this week.
“It’s really important to get him up and running. He is a world-class player and always adds value.
“He can play in the centre, that’s how good a footballer he is. He is destructive in defence. He reads the game – he is a smart guy. He has had an amazing year.
“He is desperate to play for the Ospreys which is huge for us.
“Sam Lewis has put a marker in the sand. He has been outstanding in the first three games. With somebody like Sam you don’t feel in a rush to bring Justin back.”
