Cape Town - Orlando Pirates legend Gavin Lane believes that Absa Premiership clubs are no longer afraid of the Mayfair-based outfit, and that 2018 must be used to change that.
Lane, who most famously helped the Sea Robbers win the African Champions League in 1995, takes the view that Bucs' stuttering home form means that Milutin Sredojevic's men don't get the same respect of days gone by.
Speaking to Soccer Laduma website the 51-year-old said, "Pirates must use the year to regain their dominance.
"I feel that Pirates aren't the same force as when we were playing. Teams no longer fear Pirates. They are able to get points from them even in their home games.
"The first order of business for the New Year should be to win home games against the opposition and then build from there.
"The best teams in the world are those that manage to stay dominant even if the league continues to grow and other teams become stronger. We have seen the emergence of teams like SuperSport United, Bidvest Wits and Cape Town City.
"Pirates will have to maintain their dominance if they want to continue being a title contender. I wish to see them bring in the right kind of players who will represent the club with the right kind of mentality."