The crew of G-LBAL didn't make use of a sophisticed AFCS apparently (or MCC or CRM for that matter). Perhaps because the aircraft they were flying didn't have these options or because the working environment wasn't conducive to training and development.
Think the thread reached broad conclusion that their work environment was risky and that to fly was the wrong decision a while ago. Rehashing how they might have done it better is surely not the right way to go.