Max Ehmer has hailed Gillingham new boy John Akinde as the strongest man he’s ever come up against.

Skipper Ehmer was delighted when Gills finally landed the big striker from Lincoln – not least because he didn’t fancy taking him on again.

“I’ve played against him twice I think,” said Ehmer.

“Once in pre-season when we played Barnet and he came on in the second half against Lincoln this season.

“When we signed him I was so happy that I don’t have to play against him again this season because he is the strongest man I’ve ever played against.

“It’s not like he’s just big and can’t move, you saw for one of the goals the other day, in the Shrewsbury game, where he burnt the defender and won the penalty.

“He is a nightmare to play against. I was over the moon when we signed him.

“He’s done really well for himself and he’s earned that as well.

“You can tell by his work ethic around the training ground and his goal record is good.

“You can be lucky but you can’t be lucky for that long. He’s achieved what he has because he’s a top player.

“I roomed with him the first time he met us before the Rochdale game and he’s a top guy as well.

“He’s started really well and hopefully he kicks on the more match fitness he gets.”

Gillingham put their 10-match unbeaten record on the line at Burton Albion this Saturday.

It’s 11th versus 12th at the Pirelli Stadium, with the Gills two points behind their hosts in the League 1 table.

Confidence is high as Steve Evans’ men travel to the Midlands looking to close an eight-point gap to the play-offs.

Ehmer said: “We’ve proven to everyone that we can handle all the teams in this division.

“We’ve probably had too many draws, and everyone would say that, but if we turned those draws into wins we’d be in the play-offs already.

“We’ve drawn with big sides – Peterborough and Ipswich – but we should have won those games.

“We’re all ambitious and we know the draws probably should have been wins and that would reflect massively in our league position.

“But I think the gaffer said early doors he wanted to be in touching distance and I think we are.

“The way we’ve been performing of late, everything’s clicking.

“From this point, you always see a team go on a good run and maybe get promoted and we’re looking to be the one.”

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