Something must be done so that the pilots, even if they are sitting there yawning with nothing to do, are intimately aware of the feel of the plane as a plane at all times. That way when things get tough the transition is not quite such a hostile appearing event.
Having throttles move via actuator to show current thrust level and trending, like Boeing does, would be a start.
Watching throttles physically retard during cruise might have been helpful to this crew in keeping SA.