Brian Kerr Soccer analyst: When trying to analyse this game I couldn't get the Ian Dury and the Blockheads tune Reasons To Be Cheerful Part Threeout of my brain.

Not that I'm going to start comparing Andy Reid to the genius of Salvador Dali or present Lee Carsley as the cure for smallpox (not yet anyway) but there is certainly hope in the aftermath of Saturday night.

(Those not familiar with the 1979 single are understandably lost. The Blockheads' most famous song is Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick.) (Now we are really digressing.)

A rhythm, or rather lack thereof, is evident from Ireland's recent results. The overall diagnosis is not required until later in the week but some salient facts must be highlighted at this juncture.

The draw leaves us with two points from three games, all against our main Group D rivals.

We are definitely where we deserve to be. Four points on the road, including the road to San Marino, leaves no room for excuses or hard-luck stories.

Saturday was, however, the first consistent 90-minute display when the opposition were never afforded an overwhelming spell of superiority.

The performance of the starting XI justifies Steve Staunton's unpredictable selection policy after what had been a messy and uncertain build-up. While they were never swashbuckling, there was plenty of aggression and commitment to keep the group winners at bay.

In fact, the understandably cautious Germans played second fiddle for most of the night.

Joey O'Brien provided a bonus for the manager similar to what Paul McShane offered in the wake of the Czech Republic match. He looks to have bulked up during his long-term injury and provided a solid partnership with what is now the guaranteed dominance of Richard Dunne at centre half. Both exuded bravery when weighing in with some crucial tackles and intercepts.

Steve Finnan - great positioning for the goal-line clearance - and Stephen Kelly - showing massive improvement - ensured the whole defensive unit was secure and for a change Ireland didn't require any acrobatics from Shay Given.

The positional play and perception of the back four was first-class and belied the doubts expressed in the absence of McShane and John O'Shea.

With Dunne now suspended, it will be hard to leave O'Brien out on Wednesday.

The real tone for Ireland's performance was set by a massive workrate, the core of which was in midfield.

Like everyone else I was surprised by the selection of Andy Keogh at right wing but the risk was rewarded with a confident and, more important, consistent display in a notable contrast to Aiden McGeady's recent form. On the other side, Kevin Kilbane produced his usual unselfish, honest graft. Both wide men came inside to help out and knew when to drift out to assist their full backs.

Such cohesive tactical play ensured the Germans were never allowed to dominate or generate a sustained rhythm.

It must be noted though that when Bastian Schweinsteiger went off injured, Torsten Frings was their only regular midfielder.

Lee Carsley has fully justified his return to the international fold. One wonders why it took so long after Matt Holland, Roy Keane and Mark Kinsella departed. Confirmation of his importance will be evident in his suspension-enforced absence against Cyprus.

Lee is the foil that allows Andy Reid perform as Ireland's chief conductor. The Charlton captain's range of passing was a highlight of the night, none more so than the early ball that put Robbie Keane through. Jens Lehmann did well to block the subsequent shot.

Keane had another chance but he failed to lob Lehmann with a disappointing effort.

The captain does deserve credit for a nice touch that put Shane Long in for a late chance.

In attack, neither Keane nor Kevin Doyle spared himself against a controlled German defence on a night of few clear-cut chances.

This is the way of modern international football: opportunism of the front men or outstanding goalkeeping usually decides the result. We know which one was lacking on Saturday night.

The correct balance of our attacking options will have to be addressed when others return in the medium to long term. For now we must deal with what is available.

With Germany arriving here in such a strong position an overemphasis on attack was unlikely. I still believe our approach was correct; the gung-ho option would have allowed them to pick us off on the break.

Still, a little less caution at the end would have been nice.

Reasons for Staunton to be cheerful?

One point is better than none and it keeps the wolves from his creaking door for a while yet.