Not being aware of a player should never be an excuse, Carr finds the players (ie being aware if them in the first place) - he's the scout. Once he's identified them managers, DOFs dinner ladies can find out what they need pretty fucking easily.
Nearly all clubs use http://wyscout.com/ which will put together every available bit of footage on what ever player you want (like a better version of YouTube lol) Newcastle use this as they are listed in the client list so all old Joe needs to do if go to a computer and type in Douglas and he can find whatever he wants on whoever he wants.
If we are really turning down Douglas on a free to pursue James Tomkins, we want shot.