Crystal Palace boss Ian Holloway says football's authorities should be doing more to help the game's young players from avoiding going down the same road as Paul Gascoigne.

Holloway was in floods of tears watching a TV documentary on Tuesday showing the descent of one of England's greatest talents from football star to troubled alcoholic seemingly beyond help.

"Football is so popular it's become a monster," he said. "If football is a monster, the young players are its prey.

"I don't know if there is enough support there to help their learning,' Holloway added. 'Gazza can't go anywhere, he can't do anything, he doesn't know where he is, he doesn't know who he is. It's like George Best all over again.

"Us football people have a duty to make sure our young lads don't get like that. It's heart-breaking. Let the football family get hold of someone like that and make sure we help."