I have to admit, I didn't find the 'slow/fast' message one that leapt out and told me what to do without my first having to think about it - and when a pilot finds him/herself at 101% overload - (as virtually all of us would be in a situation like the one the AF FOs found themselves) - having to think about what the display is telling you is the very last thing you need.
I'll accept that the potential confusion might (should?) have been covered during conversion.