ORLANDO Stadium is no longer the fortress it was during Orlando Pirates' back-to-back treble seasons and defender Ayanda Gcaba has called on the club to bring back the "fear factor".

Pirates have won just one of their three Absa Premiership matches in Orlando thus far this season and were beaten five times at home last year.

"We have not been doing well at home. When teams come to Orlando, they are too defensive, so it's difficult to break them down. But we have to improve and make life difficult for our opponents in Orlando," said Gcaba, ahead of Pirates' league clash with the defender's former club, Free State Stars, at Orlando tomorrow (8.15pm).

"We are not quite happy with our start in the league. We would have loved to be second or third at this stage. But we are fighting [and moving] up slowly. Hopefully this weekend we can get the result we are looking for. It's been a good break for us. We are fresh," he added.

Dropping points at home is not Gcaba's only concern at the moment.

"We let ourselves down by conceding soft goals.

"We should also try to be more composed in the final third. We tend to rush things," the 28-year-old said.

Gcaba, who has been doing fairly well in defence since Rooi Mahamutsa fell out of favour with coach Vladimir Vermezovic, is wary of a Stars side constantly improving under Belgian coach Tom Saintfiet.

Pirates have veteran Lucky Lekgwathi back from injury, but left back Thabo Matlaba is a doubt after sustaining an Achilles tendon injury while on national team duty.

Stars coach Saintfiet, meanwhile, said Pirates remain title favourites, despite their slow start to the season.

"Pirates have not had the best start, but they are still favourites for the title with Sundowns and Chiefs. They have an advantage. It won't be easy for us, but I believe we can compete. We are doing well but there is still a long way to go."