I think some fans want Phil X to stay on and don't care if Richie comes back.
It seems like these same fans are just mad because it looked so bad the way Richie left the tour, and they are mad at him for not offering a clear reason as to why.

If Richie seemed distant from Jon during the first leg--and I don't know b/c I didn't see them up close --maybe Phil X is smiling more and seems happier to be onstage? Richie used to be fun and goofy years ago but maybe he doesn't do that much anymore and Phil X reminds the fans of how Richie used to act. Since I can't play guitar, I don't know if one is as good or better than the other but I do think that Richie offered more than just guitar to Bon Jovi--he also had that vocal with Jon that I think would be hard to match unless you've been singing together as long as they have.

I think the longer Richie stays away, the more some fans will take his time in Bon Jovi for granted and not miss him. The FB page already has lots of fans who are saying that, basically. I think it's sad b/c you put 30 years in and a lot of fans are like: "Oh, well. Moving on."