Update is after spending 25 mins in a queue, got through to buy over the phone and I could ask for the exact row I wanted, i.e. Row 27 at the back of the lower tier before it splits. Better than being forced to take Row 11. Anyone finding the same problem you are either best phoning up and taking the booking fee or waiting for a few windows until lower rows are sold.
City ticket office if you are reading this and want people to buy online instead of jamming phone lines then please sell from the back or give us more choice. Thanks