I’m going to reiterate what has been said here regarding Airbus v Boeing, over the years A300/320/321/330 and 75/76 and now 777.
A Boeing is designed to be flown by the pilot via the MCP or manually, it is much more of a ‘hands on machine’ in terms of how to get the job done, forget your Toulouse test tube philosophy, make the jet do what you want via the MCP, the 787 version of the FMC is there to help you plan, unless of course your company tries to make you fly a Boeing like an Airbus.
In terms of modes and speed control the modes you will see are dependant on what’s in the box, and if you have the speed window open.
Its really just a different way of doing things.....and trim for speed...then hand flying is even better that the electric death jet.