While I may agree, that doesn't always work out so well.
Here's the thing: Most of Team 4 girls are younger than the older generation (older in terms of seniority). In Japan, the magic age of an idol is at a certain period. Cross that limit, and it's very challenging to get a buzz about you if you're an idol.
If however you get a following when you're young, they tend to stick around, and more comes too. For example, Acchan is 20 years old and Japan's most popular idol. If Acchan joined today as a research student at age 20, and unknown but still Acchan, I have my doubts that she'd be super popular, in fact I think she'd be in the shadows.
I think in many cases AKS/agencies etc. haven't done enough to promote various girls, who are absolutely great in all regards, and I wish they'd do more, but it's also very hard for them to give equal push to all. Sometimes it's completely random. Sasshii was one of the undergirls who was only hugely popular with the more hardcore fans - not the mainstream ones. Then she started having a string of great moments on TV, and became Hetare Queen. They then built on that, continued with it, and it really worked for her.
Now we have G+, and a lot of previously unpushed girls or girls who was in the shadows managed to gain some attention through their interaction with the other girls and fans on G+.
Haachan got some attention on AKBINGO, and it was funny enough that they kept bringing her back now and then. On G+ she eventually secured role as Katayama Buchou for Art Club, and then had Saitama Super Arena concert named after her. If she continues to promote herself well, it might mean she still gets to do various things.
Then there's Kaotan who rose out of nowhere to become a cult classic instantly. Or Sakiko, who now is known as Master, and has gotten more attention. Kris is doing the Cooking Club, and I seriously hope she gets a window of opportunity to grow, as she's great.
And the latest girl to get attention, Micha, who will have the entire Japanes national tour in all 47 prefectures named after her - and where SHUKAN AKB will have a special Micha documentary/interview. There will probably be some usual gravure stuff in addition, and maybe we'll see more of her. On G+ she has gotten much more active recently and she gets quite many comments now compared to before. With her name and herself being part of the 47 prefecture tour, a lot of people might get to know who she is.
Sometimes management have tried to push certain girls, whether old or new generation, and it just never worked.
It's hard to predict these things, and I've given up seeing for example Amina in senbatsu, and even if it happens, it will just be for a few seconds anyways. I will still support her, and I do, but I'm being realistic.
My attitude to all of this is basically that of having an oshimen I support, but also enjoying all the girls for what they do as a group. That way I get to enjoy quite much. I've also come to appreciate putting focus on research students over the past few years as there's much excitement to be found here, with new girls growing into potential idols. For me this is another reason why I like Team 4 so much, because I got to see them from when they joined on day 1. So I do recommend that people start looking into the research students, as there's much to be enjoyed there (LOD's etc.).
I'm rambling a little, but in the end, I've got a much more relaxed attitude to promotion and such these days. And as for Sayaka, she's lucky - she's not a senbatsu front girl, but she's on TV, she's in DiVA and she does well
