I agree with you about the problems with the time-line being broken up.

The most frustrating part about the time-line 'problems' is that much of it hurt the book instead of helping it. The one that really got into my craw was when Verin's scene with Mat was split. Not only did this give the, apparently, incorrect impression that Mat's meeting with Verin occurred at the same time as Rand's meeting with Tuon; it also, IMO, hurt the story telling. I remember screaming in frustration, because I wanted to know what Verin had to say. That feeling hurt my enjoyment of Rand and company.

The saddest part is all that it would take to fix much of the problem is to rearrange a few chapters.

I also agree with your assessment about BS trying to accommodate fan's wishes to return to the pace of the first books. Such opinions ignore the fact that RJ was holding a lot back for this last series of 3 books. The pace was going to get faster no matter what. It also assumes that a faster pacing is truly what the fans want. There is no one type of WoT fan (nor two nor even 50 types). For BS to cater to one fan base (no matter how vocal) is to risk infuriating another. BS realizes that and that everything he does will infuriate some and be applauded by others. And, I think I can safely say that his goal is not to appease the 'audience' but to remain true to RJs vision.