I usually just read and don't post too much here, but can't help it.
Man, you just don't get it. When John joined the band, Anthrax straight out said that Joey was a joke and they wanted and were happy to get rid of him, and they would never play with him again and brought John in with open arms. There was no beating around the bush (no pun intended), they hated Joey and were happy to have John and claimed many times that they would never play with Joey again (they put that last point a lot harsher than I did). It did piss and puzzle the fans they had at the time, but they were honest about it, and the fans knew (at least at the time) that Joey was OUT and moved on without any questions.
Now with this, there is no up front answer about this, and they are playing with the idiot they said they would NEVER play with again. Charlie obviuosly hates Joey still, making jabs in interviews about Joey, stating that the creative musical/writing level that a person thinks he has, and what he actually has, are two different things (or something to that). That is pointed at Joey. They state that they would still like to do an album with John though and have given the fans NO straight answer on anything.
Maybe they really don't know, but I think they just know they fucked up and don't know what to do. Just my opinion. But the bottom line is, the fans that have stayed loyal with Anthrax and love John are wondering what the fuck, and I think they have a right to bitch till Anthrax lets 'em know.