I don’t think the writers keep things surprises and i don’t think they care or are even aware of what will make fans angry.
Actually a example how they like to keep secrets, was that even tho MRJ was credit after 315 in all episodes of s3, they not once said he would be in 319 and 322, to keep it a surprise. Another example is that they are fast to say no Jamie dornan and no Seb Stan, but MRJ and Neal is never say never.
Although I wonder, if the spoiler if true and Neal ends doing a small cameo as a ghost appearance in 512, that will be only like 10 seconds and won’t develop Neal, and may only ends with him saying goodbye to Henry, what did motivated MRJ to accept this? He always said after TB that we wasn’t fan of vision/ ghost flashbacks returns to show bc won’t develop characters, why did he thought this would be a good idea? A 10 second scene and then Neal would move on, well not even move on, bc he will be not important enough to the storyline, and worst scenario he will become a fanboy for cs. At least I hope if mrj returns for a cameo, that he was smart to ask lots of money and get a new role on some future Disney movie.
"I offended you with my opinion? Ha, you should hear the ones I keep to myself".