p51, it wasn’t TOGA (thrust) which was at the root of the handling problem, it was trim.
Thud brings us back to the reality of the accident; it wasn’t the system or the pilot trimming / failing to trim, it was the crew’s understanding of the system / situation which contributed to the accident. This aggravated the poor planning / understanding of what was being attempted.
These issues are not solved by ‘more manual’ flight – basic flying skills. Crews need higher order thinking skills, some of which can be developed and exercised with appropriate manual flight; others require knowledge, application, and preparation – thinking ahead.
Automation might relieve muscular skills and workload, but it is not an excuse to stop thinking.
“Its not pilots hands which get them into trouble, it’s their heads.” (J. Reason)